Company-owned stores:
The majority of Starbucks locations worldwide are owned and operated directly by Starbucks.
Licensed stores (not franchises):
Some locations—like those inside airports, grocery stores, hotels, or universities—are licensed.
The operator pays Starbucks licensing fees and follows strict brand standards.
Starbucks retains strong control over products, pricing, training, and store design.
🚫 Why It’s Not a Franchise
In a typical franchise (like McDonald’s):
Independent owners buy a franchise
They have more operational control
They pay franchise fees and royalties
Starbucks does not sell franchises to individual entrepreneurs, which is why you can’t open a Starbucks the way you’d open a Subway or KFC.
🌍 International Exception
In some countries, Starbucks works with large corporate partners (e.g., Tata in India), but these are still licensing or joint-venture agreements, not franchises.
Usman Aly
☕ Starbucks’ Business Model
Company-owned stores:
The majority of Starbucks locations worldwide are owned and operated directly by Starbucks.
Licensed stores (not franchises):
Some locations—like those inside airports, grocery stores, hotels, or universities—are licensed.
The operator pays Starbucks licensing fees and follows strict brand standards.
Starbucks retains strong control over products, pricing, training, and store design.
🚫 Why It’s Not a Franchise
In a typical franchise (like McDonald’s):
Independent owners buy a franchise
They have more operational control
They pay franchise fees and royalties
Starbucks does not sell franchises to individual entrepreneurs, which is why you can’t open a Starbucks the way you’d open a Subway or KFC.
🌍 International Exception
In some countries, Starbucks works with large corporate partners (e.g., Tata in India), but these are still licensing or joint-venture agreements, not franchises.
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