Building a Coffee Empire: The Success of Starbucks

When Starbucks first announced it would be entering the Indian market in 2012, many were skeptical that the massive coffee chain would have trouble making a profit.

As 50:50 joint partners, Starbucks Corporation and TATA Global Beverages opened their first location in Mumbai, India, in October 2012.

Gordon Bowker, Zev Siegl, and Jerry Baldwin are the three friends who established Starbucks.

They created a location where people could enjoy the best coffee beans in a comfortable setting, drawing inspiration from coffee-roasting entrepreneur Alfred Peet.

Starbucks did not become well-known overnight. Years of tenacity and trial and error were needed to hone their skill.

Starbucks launched a bold expansion plan under Schultz’s direction. They focused on comfort, aesthetics, and ambiance to create a unique feel at each store.