Company Background
Three Seattle academics and entrepreneurs, English teacher Jerry Baldwin, history teacher Zev Siegel, and writer Gordon Bowker, started the Starbucks Corporation in 1997. Their primary product was the selling of whole bean coffee in one Seattle store. By early 1980's, this business had grown into four stores selling the coffee beans, a roasting facility, and a wholesale business for local restaurants. "There store did not offer fresh-brewed coffee sold by the cup, but tasting samples were sometimes available" (Thompson, Jr. et al, 2005). In 1982, Howard Schultz left his job as vice president and general manager of a Swedish company and assumed his new responsibilities as head of marketing and overseeing Starbucks retail stores. He brought new ideas to the owners, but they were often turned down. (Thompson, Jr. et al, 2005)
Schultz, in turn, opened his own coffee bar in 1986 based on Italian coffee cafes, selling brewed dark roast coffee. By 1987 Schultz......
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