Starbucks began in 1971 as a small Seattle roaster selling only coffee beans, inspired by Peet’s Coffee. Howard Schultz joined in 1982 and, inspired by Italian coffee culture, sought to transform Starbucks into a café experience. After a failed acquisition attempt, he launched Il Giornale before acquiring Starbucks in 1987. Facing financial hurdles, Schultz secured key investors and expanded the brand with a focus on customer experience and employee welfare, including early stock options and benefits for part-time workers. The company went public in 1992 and expanded globally, notably in Japan and China. A near-collapse in 2008 led to Schultz’s return, where he revitalized the brand by refocusing on quality and customer experience. Innovations like the Frappuccino and mobile ordering helped Starbucks scale sustainably while maintaining its core values.