Starbucks opened its first store in Seattle, Washington, selling high-quality coffee beans and equipment. It was founded by Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl, and Gordon Bowker, and was inspired by coffee roasting entrepreneur Alfred Peet. The name 'Starbucks' was derived from a mining town and the chief mate in the book Moby-Dick.

In 1973, Starbucks purchased green coffee beans from Peet's Coffee & Tea, until Alfred Peet stopped supplying them and helped train their new Roastmaster, Jim Reynolds.

In 1975, an extraordinary freeze devastated the Brazilian coffee crop, impacting Starbucks' coffee supply.

In 1977, Starbucks' original mermaid logo was displayed at the second location of the original Starbucks at Seattle’s Pike Place market.

In 1979, Starbucks founders Zev Siegl, Jerry Baldwin, and Gordon Bowker were in Seattle, marking a significant moment in the company's history.

By the early 1980s, Starbucks had opened four stores in Seattle, distinguishing themselves with top-quality fresh-roasted coffees. This expansion marked the early success of Starbucks in the coffee industry.

In 1981, future CEO Howard Schultz first visited Starbucks, which eventually led to his significant role in the company.

In 1982, Howard Schultz joined Starbucks as the director of retail operations and marketing, marking a pivotal moment in the company's history.

In 1983, Howard Schultz was famously inspired by espresso bars in Milan and aimed to introduce the concept to the US.

He expressed his interest in Starbucks to the owners, Gerald Baldwin and Gordon Bowker, and convinced them of the potential for expansion. Subsequently, he was appointed as the director of operations and marketing.

The original owners of Starbucks, led by Jerry Baldwin, purchased Peet's Coffee in 1984. This acquisition marked a significant development in the company's history.

In March 1987, Howard Schultz used his coffee chain, Il Giornale, to purchase Starbucks with investor backing. He combined all his operations under the Starbucks brand and committed to the café concept for the business, leading to a period of rapid expansion.

In 1988, Starbucks introduced a mail-order catalog, expanding its reach and customer base.

In 1988, Starbucks expanded its presence by opening 12 stores in Chicago.

In October 1989, Starbucks opened its first store in Chicago, marking the beginning of its expansion into new markets.

In 1990, George Howell, a coffee veteran, expressed disapproval of the dark roasted beans sold by Starbucks. This criticism was based on the opinion that the dark roast used by Starbucks did not enhance the flavor of coffee, but rather destroyed potential nuances of flavor.

In 1991, Starbucks set itself apart in the growing coffeehouse industry in the US by introducing the tall, grande, and venti sizes, which became a defining feature of the brand.

In June 1992, at the time of its initial public offering, Starbucks had 140 outlets, with revenue of US$73.5 million, marking a significant milestone in the company's financial history.

On June 26, 1992, Starbucks had its initial public offering (IPO) and trading of its common stock under the stock ticker SBUX, raising $271 million for the company.

In 1994, Starbucks acquired The Coffee Connection, gaining the rights to use, make, market, and sell the 'Frappuccino' beverage, which became a popular addition to the Starbucks menu.

Starbucks introduced the frappuccino in 1995 as a blend of coffee, milk, and ice, which became a popular beverage choice.

In July 1996, the first Starbucks location opened outside of North America: a store in Tokyo, Japan.

The book 'Pour Your Heart Into It' by Howard Schultz and Dori Jones, published in 1997, narrates the journey of Starbucks and how it grew into a successful company through dedication and passion.

On December 4, 1997, the Philippines became the third market to open outside of North America.

Starbucks expanded to Europe in 1998, further solidifying its global presence and becoming a part of the fabric of tens of thousands of neighborhoods around the world.

In 1999, Starbucks initiated the 'Grounds for your Garden' program, providing leftover coffee grounds to customers for composting, aiming to make the company more environmentally friendly.

In July 2000, the first Starbucks location in Australia opened in Sydney, marking the company's entry into the Australian market.

In 2001, Starbucks introduced ethical coffee-sourcing guidelines, demonstrating its commitment to responsible and sustainable practices.

In August 2002, Starbucks provided free Wi-Fi in the United Kingdom, eliminating the previous requirement of a Starbucks rewards card for access.

In September 2002, Starbucks opened its first store in Latin America, in Mexico City. By 2016, there were more than 500 locations in Mexico.

In April 2003, Starbucks acquired Seattle's Best Coffee and Torrefazione Italia from AFC Enterprises for US$72 million. The deal brought 150 stores to Starbucks and significantly expanded its wholesale business.

In August 2003, Starbucks opened its first store in South America in Lima, Peru.

In 2005, Starbucks reached a milestone of 10,000 stores around the world, including in Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Australia.

Howard Schultz, the president of Starbucks, was reported to have enjoyed a cup of coffee in the first Starbucks store in Chongqing, China in 2006. This event marked Starbucks' entry into the Chongqing market.

In March 2007, Consumer Reports ranked Starbucks coffee behind McDonald's Premium Roast in the midst of a coffee war. The magazine described Starbucks coffee as strong, but burnt and bitter.

In September 2007, Apple announced that customers would be able to browse the iTunes Store at Starbucks via Wi-Fi in the US, targeted at iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, and MacBook users. The iTunes Store automatically detects recent songs playing in a Starbucks and offers users the opportunity to download the tracks.

During the fall of 2007, Starbucks began selling digital downloads of certain albums through iTunes. Some stores also featured LCD screens with the artist name, song, and album information of the current song playing.

In January 2008, Howard Schultz returned to the helm as Starbucks’ CEO to address the company’s declining customer satisfaction, brand focus, and employee morale. He implemented a strategy that led to the closure of 900 stores and successful changes to menu offerings, ultimately contributing to the company's financial rebound by 2012.

In March 2008, Starbucks acquired Coffee Equipment Company, the manufacturer of the Clover Brewing System. This acquisition led to the testing of the 'fresh-pressed' coffee system at several Starbucks locations, marking an innovation in the coffee industry.

In May 2008, Starbucks introduced a loyalty program for registered users of the Starbucks Card, providing perks such as free Wi-Fi, no charge for soy milk and flavored syrups, and free refills on certain beverages. Customers could earn stars with each purchase and redeem them for various perks.

In July 2008, Starbucks announced the closure of 600 underperforming company-owned stores and the reduction of almost 1,000 non-retail jobs amid the Great Recession. This decision aimed to re-energize the brand and improve profitability during the economic downturn.

In October 2008, The Guardian newspaper reported that Starbucks was wasting 6.2 million U.S. gallons (23.4 million liters) of water a day by leaving a tap constantly running for rinsing utensils in a 'dipper well' in each of its stores, but this is often required by governmental food safety codes.

In March 2009, Starbucks and the board approved a $100 million settlement in a barista-led class action lawsuit in California regarding back tips. This decision was part of the efforts to address employee work conditions and internal tipping policies.

Starting on June 1, 2009, the MSNBC morning news program Morning Joe has been presented as 'brewed by Starbucks' and the show's logo changed to include the company logo.

On July 1, 2010, Starbucks offered free Wi-Fi in all of its stores in the U.S. and Canada, enhancing the customer experience.

In January 2011, Starbucks released its complete mobile platform, providing consumers with a convenient stored value system to purchase products at Starbucks.

In February 2011, Starbucks began selling its coffee in Norway by supplying Norwegian food shops with their roasts.

In October 2011, Starbucks opened its 500th store in China at the Beijing Capital International Airport's Terminal 3, international departures hall.

By December 2011, Starbucks had exceeded 26 million mobile transactions, showcasing the increasing adoption of its mobile platform.

Starbucks opened its first store in India in Mumbai on October 19, 2012, through the Tata Starbucks joint venture.

In 2013, Starbucks continued its growth trajectory, further expanding its operations.

On February 1, 2013, Starbucks opened its first store in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, expanding its presence in Southeast Asia.

On June 25, 2013, Starbucks began to post calorie counts on menus for drinks and pastries in all of its U.S. stores.

In January 2014, Starbucks management transitioned from a singular brand worldwide to focusing on locally relevant design for each store.

In April 2014, Starbucks announced a store in Azerbaijan, in the Port Baku Mall.

In May 2014, Starbucks announced its first café in Bolivia would open in 2014 in Santa Cruz de la Sierra and the first in Panama in 2015.

In June 2014, Starbucks announced a partnership with Arizona State University that allowed Starbucks employees to complete four years of college at ASU's online program for a reduced cost.

In September 2014, Starbucks announced the acquisition of the remaining 60.5% stake in Starbucks Coffee Japan that it did not already own.

In November 2014, Starbucks announced its first Channel Island store, in the primary business area of St Peter Port in Guernsey.

In December 2014, Starbucks launched a mobile ordering system named Mobile Order & Pay in Portland, Oregon, expanding it nationwide in 2015.

On April 21, 2015, Kesko, the second largest retailer in Finland, announced its partnership with Starbucks, with stores opened next to K-Citymarket hypermarkets.

On June 19, 2015, a Starbucks location opened at Disney's Animal Kingdom on Discovery Island. Notably, this location featured special green eco-friendly straws for cold drinks due to the park's restriction on plastic straws. It was the sixth Starbucks to open in Walt Disney World.

On December 18, 2015, Starbucks opened its first store in Almaty, Kazakhstan, marking its entry into the Central Asian market.

In January 2016, Starbucks announced that it would launch operation in Trinidad and Tobago. On August 29, 2016, Starbucks opened its first store at South Park Mall in San Fernando.

In February 2016, Howard Schultz announced the opening of stores in Italy.

In March 2016, Starbucks unveiled a five-year plan to donate 100 percent of unsold food from its 7,600 company-operated stores in the U.S. to local food banks and pantries through the FoodShare program. This initiative aimed to provide millions of meals to those in need and reduce food waste.

In April 2016, Starbucks opened its first stores in South Africa, specifically in Rosebank, Gauteng, Johannesburg, and the Mall of Africa, after TASTE Holdings acquired outlet licensing for South African stores.

In May 2016, the first Starbucks store in Slovakia opened in Aupark in Bratislava.

In August 2016, startup company FluxPort introduced Qi inductive charging pads at select Starbucks locations in Germany, enhancing the charging convenience for customers.

In September 2016, Starbucks announced the debut of its first-ever original content series called 'Upstanders', which featured podcasts, written word, and video with an aim to be inspirational.

In December 2016, Howard Schultz resigned as CEO of Starbucks and took on the role of executive chairman. During his tenure, nearly $100 billion was added to the company's market capitalization.

In November 2017, Starbucks commenced operations in Jamaica, where the first store opened in the resort city of Montego Bay on the shores of the Doctor's Cave Beach Club, offering views of the Caribbean Sea.

On March 21, 2018, Starbucks announced that it was considering the use of blockchain technology to connect coffee drinkers with coffee farmers in Costa Rica, Colombia, and Rwanda.

Two men were arrested in a Philadelphia Starbucks location on April 12, 2018, leading to protests due to their apparently racially-motivated nature.

CEO Kevin Johnson announced that the company would close some 8000 locations on May 29, 2018, for a seminar about racial bias in order to prevent future events similar to those that occurred in Philadelphia.

On June 4, 2018, Howard Schultz declared his retirement from active management of Starbucks after 37 years. He considered various options, including a potential U.S. presidential campaign.

On June 19, 2018, Starbucks announced the closing of 150 locations in 2019; three times the number the corporation typically closes in a single year.

On July 9, 2018, Starbucks President and CEO Kevin Johnson announced that Starbucks will ban the single-use plastic straws by January 1, 2020, on all cold drinks from all locations worldwide due to climate change concerns, pollution, and sea turtle endangerment as the single-use plastic straws failed to be designed for recycling when they were invented.

The first Italian Starbucks store was inaugurated in Milan on September 6, 2018, at which point Starbucks already had locations in 78 countries.

On June 1, 2019, Starbucks opened its first coffee store in Malta at Valletta, the 80th country to have a Starbucks outlet.

In July 2019, Starbucks announced that it would no longer be selling newspapers in its cafés.

In August 2019, a franchised location opened in the Cayman Islands.

In September 2019, 60% of Starbucks stores were participating in the FoodShare program, contributing to 20 million meals served to those in need. This highlights the significant impact of Starbucks' ongoing efforts to address food insecurity.

In October 2019, a franchised location opened in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

In November 2019, the world's largest Starbucks location opened on Chicago's Magnificent Mile.

In March 2020, Starbucks announced that from April 6, all U.S. employees and their eligible family members could access up to 20 free mental health therapy or coaching sessions per year through Lyra Health Inc.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Starbucks closed all the café-only stores in the United States for two weeks, with only drive-thru and delivery-only services functioning. Workers were to be paid for the next 30 days whether they went to work or stayed home.

On November 9, 2021, Workers United filed three more petitions for elections to represent workers at additional Starbucks stores in the Buffalo area.

Workers at a Starbucks store in Mesa, Arizona petitioned the NLRB for a union election on November 18, 2021, to be represented by Workers United, partly due to a well-liked manager being terminated after whistle-blowing on Starbucks' anti-union plan.

On December 9, 2021, the workers at the Elmwood Avenue store became the first unionized Starbucks workers at a Starbucks owned location in the United States with a 19–8 vote.

Workers at two Boston area locations petitioned the NLRB for union elections to be unionized with Workers United, inspired by the win in Buffalo.

After the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Starbucks CEO Kevin Johnson stated that the company has no business operations in Ukraine, but does have 130 licensed Starbucks locations in Russia. He condemned the invasion and announced that the company will donate any royalties received from its business operations in Russia to humanitarian relief efforts for Ukraine.

On May 21, 2022, Starbucks announced the closure of all outlets in Russia due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, leading to a local restaurant manager's acquisition of Starbucks' Russian operating company and its stores.

Howard Schultz stepped down as CEO, with Laxman Narasimhan becoming Starbucks's next CEO.

As of November 2022, there are 59 Starbucks stores in Australia, with 23 in New South Wales, 19 in Queensland, and 18 in Victoria, spread across various cities.

On November 17, 2022, over 100 Starbucks locations had employees go on strike during the annual Red Cup Day, seeking higher staffing levels, better wages, and consistent schedules.

On December 18, 2022, workers at over 100 Starbucks stores across the U.S. undertook a three-day strike in response to alleged union busting and to demand better working conditions.

Narasimhan told employees that he would work a half-day behind a store counter each month, and he trained as a barista to immerse himself in the brand and stay close to customers.

On April 25, 2023, Starbucks commenced operations in Guyana.

On June 23, 2023, Starbucks workers at unionized stores went on strike over the company's stance on in-store LGBT pride decorations.

In February 2024, Starbucks unveiled a new store design aimed at improving accessibility, with plans to implement this design in all future company-owned stores, starting with the Washington, D.C. Union Market store.

Starbucks is phasing out disposable cups in Korea entirely by 2025.

Starbucks has publicly committed to reducing waste by 50% by 2030.