11 Frothy Facts about Starbucks

First published 23rd January 2024 Samantha Khu

Find us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter

Starbucks is one of the most famous and popular food and drink brands in the world. Who doesn’t love going for a drive-thru coffee after work or stepping inside to get all of the wonderful smells from the baked goods counter? Before we all start drooling, here are some fun facts about Starbucks that might surprise you.

1. The origins of Starbucks date back to the 70s.

As modern as Starbucks may appear, it was actually founded on March 30, 1971, in Seattle, Washington – and it was dreamed up by three partners in Gordon Bowker, Jerry Baldwin, and Zev Siegl.

2. Starbucks was, oddly, named after Moby Dick.

While it might sound completely odd, the coffee chain was actually named after Herman Melville’s famous novel, Moby Dick – which dealt with an enormous whale! However, the chain’s actually named after a character called Starbuck, not the whale itself.

3. There are Starbucks branches all over the world.

Although Starbucks is certainly a US brand, it has certainly become a global sensation over the decades. In fact, it is one of the world’s largest coffee brands, with thousands of locations in over 80 different countries. That, and it’s still growing, too!

Starbucks Pike Place Market location in 1977

4. There’s a signature drink you can order from your local branch.

Although plenty of you out there probably have your own favorite tipples at Starbucks, what really made them stand out back in the day was their signature beverage. That’s the Frapuccino – a sweet, blended coffee drink that was introduced in 1995, and has since become one of the most popular drinks on in store. Give it a try!

5. Starbucks owns Ethos Water.

Since 2005, Starbucks has been the parent owner of Ethos Water, a brand that donates a portion of its sales to help provide clean drinking water to underserved communities. It’s all part of Starbucks’ attempts to give back to the world.

6. The Pumpkin Spice Latte has become a sensation!

This drink is a seasonal favorite and has gained a cult following – and you’ll probably already recognize it if you’ve spent any time at all on social media. However, it’s only available in the fall – better get your orders in, then!

7. You can get rewards for drinking at Starbucks branches.

It’s true – the Starbucks Rewards scheme grants regular customers all kinds of treats provided they keep their stamp cards handy. The more stamps you collect, the more freebies Starbucks bestows on you.

8. Believe it or not, they were big players in the music industry!

You might have noticed when buying your coffee that Starbucks often sells CDs and promotes music artists in its stores. But did you know that the coffee chain used to have its own music label? ”Hear Music,” owned by the gurus behind Starbucks, eventually sold its label on.

9. Starbucks cares deeply about ethically sourcing its coffee.

Starbucks is always striving to make commitments to ethically source its coffee beans all over the world. It even has programs such as C.A.F.E. Practices to support sustainable farms – meaning you can feel a little less guilty the next time you pop in for a drink.

10. Starbucks has secret menus.

If nothing on the traditional Starbucks menu tickles your fancy, then try asking for a drink that’s not listed outwardly to customers. Starbucks’ famously secret menu consists of custom drinks created by customers and baristas, often shared through social media.

11. It’s entirely possible to study coffee through Starbucks.

Starbucks offers various coffee-related educational programs, including its Coffee Master program, which employees can sign up for if they want to progress their careers with the chain.

FAQs about Starbucks

What do you need to know to work at Starbucks?

To start working at Starbucks, you will need a food handler’s card and, ideally, you need to be a great team player. Being able to connect with customers and remain professional under stress is also vital – retail isn’t always fun!

Is working as a Starbucks barista a hard job?

It takes time and practice to really ace the role of Starbucks barista – meaning you need to practice the art of handling multiple tasks while ensuring you make drinks to order!