Starbucks announced on 25 September that it is cutting off 900 non-retail workers and closing hundreds of outlets across the United States, Canada, and Europe in order to concentrate more of its resources on a turnaround.
The massive coffee chain from Seattle said that store closures will begin right away. Starbucks stated that severance compensation and, if feasible, transfers to other locations will be provided to the impacted baristas.
The majority of the closures seem to be in the United States and Canada, though the firm did not specify how many stores are closing. Starbucks stated that by the end of its fiscal year, it anticipates having 18,300 outlets in North America.
The corporation operated 18,734 sites as of June 29. Andrew Charles, an analyst at TD Cowen, predicted in a research note released on 25 September that Starbucks would eliminate about 500 locations in North America during its fiscal fourth quarter.
Starbucks Stores in U.K., Austria and Switzerland to Close Soon
Starbucks Chairman and CEO Brian Niccol announced in a letter to staff members in Europe that some of the company’s outlets in the United Kingdom, Austria, and Switzerland will also be closing. Additionally, Starbucks did not specify the number of locations that will be affected in those countries. According to Starbucks, non-retail staff members whose jobs are being cut will be notified.
“A review of the company’s stores identified locations where the company doesn’t see a path to financial stability or isn’t able to create the physical environment customers expect,” Niccol wrote in a letter issued to employees. According to Niccol, the corporation opens and closes coffee shops annually for a number of reasons, including lease expirations and financial performance. The brand is aware that partners and customers would be impacted by this more important move.
Starbucks coffee shops are community hubs, so shutting any of them is challenging. According to Starbucks, the restructure would cost $1 billion, which includes $150 million for employee separation benefits and $850 million for the liquidation of the physical store and lease termination costs.
No Clarity on Number of Starbucks Stores to be Shut
The number of unionised stores closing was not immediately apparent. Since 2021, employees at 650 Starbucks locations controlled by the firm have voted to become a union, but they have not yet been able to come to an agreement with the business. The labour organisation that organises employees, Starbucks Workers United, stated on 25 September that the closures were carried out without consulting Starbucks baristas.
In order to guarantee that employees can be transferred to another store of their choosing, the union stated that it plans to negotiate at each union-represented store that is closing.
Just over a week after unionised workers in three states sued Starbucks over its new dress code, claiming the business would not pay staff who had to purchase new attire, news of the store closures broke. Starbucks claimed that union presence did not play a role in the selection of the closing locations, which were made based on a consistent set of criteria.
Quick Shots
•900
non-retail employees to be laid off as part of the turnaround plan.
•Store
closures to begin immediately, with transfers or severance offered where
possible.
•North
America outlets expected to reduce from 18,734 to 18,300 by fiscal year-end;
around 500 closures projected in Q4 FY26.
•European
closures in UK, Austria, and Switzerland announced; exact number of stores
not specified.
Starbucks Corporation is an American multinational coffeehouse chain, and it is the world’s largest coffeehouse company. It was founded in 1971 by Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl, and Gordon Bowker in Seattle, Washington, and currently has more than with over 30,000 stores in 83 countries. Starbucks is known for its high-quality coffee, delicious food, and excellent customer service. It has become a global leader in the coffee industry, with a strong brand image and a loyal customer base.
The history of Starbucks dates back to 1971, when founders Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl, and Gordon Bowker opened the first store in Seattle, Washington. The store offered a wide range of high-end coffee products, and it quickly gained popularity among the residents. The founders also began to expand their business, opening up additional locations and introducing new products.
In the 1980s, Starbucks shifted its focus to the international market and began to expand into Canada, Japan, and other countries. In the 1990s, the company began to offer more food and beverage items, and it also launched Frappuccino and other specialty drinks. In the 2000s, Starbucks began to focus more on marketing and customer loyalty programs. It also launched an online store, which allowed customers to purchase coffee beans and other products from the comfort of their homes.
Starbucks had a successful run in the 2000s, but it began to face stiff competition from other coffee companies in the 2010s. To stay ahead of the competition, the company has continued to focus on innovation and customer experience. It has also adopted various marketing strategies to reach new customers and strengthen its brand image.
Starbucks has a broad target audience, but it mainly focuses on young professionals, students, and other people who have busy lifestyles. Its products appeal to people who want quality coffee, tasty food, and a relaxing atmosphere. Starbucks also targets people who are looking for luxury products and are willing to spend more on coffee. The company has a strong brand image and is associated with luxury, quality, and convenience.
Starbucks has been able to distinguish itself from rivals like Costa and Café Coffee Day by always understanding exactly who its target audience is and serving a certain group of individuals.
Starbucks’ marketing mix is carefully designed to create a premium and consistent customer experience. Here’s a closer look at each element of their marketing mix:
Starbucks Marketing Mix
Starbucks Product Strategy
Starbucks is known for offering premium-quality coffee along with a wide variety of food and beverages, from tea, smoothies, and Frappuccinos to cookies, muffins, pastries, and more than 1,000 other items. Its signature touch, a simple coffee cup with the customer’s name handwritten on it, is a unique design strategy loved by many. Through its “Barista Promise,” Starbucks ensures every drink is made just the way customers want, allowing full customization. Beyond coffee, it caters to all cravings, from breakfast to late-night snacks, and continues to innovate with new creations like the Iced Flat White, Peppermint Mocha, and Gingerbread Latte. The brand’s offerings span coffee, tea, baked goods, smoothies, merchandise, and other delicious options.
Starbucks Price Strategy
Starbucks follows a premium pricing strategy, selling its products at higher-than-market rates to create a sense of superior quality and exclusivity. Targeting customers who value premium service and ambiance, the brand justifies its prices with exceptional product quality, a warm and welcoming store environment, and a memorable coffee experience from start to finish. This approach, backed by research and careful consideration, not only sets Starbucks apart from competitors but also makes it a status symbol for many of its customers.
Starbucks Place Strategy
Starbucks’ place and distribution strategy is a key driver of its success, with over 30,000 stores in 83 countries, often located in prime spots like malls and popular markets to offer a premium in-store experience. Beyond its coffeehouses, Starbucks reaches customers through retailers, merchandise partnerships, its eCommerce platform, and a user-friendly mobile app that enables ordering, payments, and reward tracking. In many regions, including India, the brand also partners with delivery services like Swiggy and Zomato, making it easy for customers to enjoy their favorite drinks on the go or from the comfort of home.
Starbucks Promotion Strategy
Starbucks’ promotional strategy blends advertising, social media, sales promotions, public relations, and eCommerce to keep its brand top of mind. The company runs engaging ad campaigns both online and offline, uses big banners for in-store offers, and actively promotes on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat with eye-catching visuals. Reward programs, discount coupons through payment apps, and seasonal offers help boost customer loyalty. Starbucks also benefits greatly from word-of-mouth marketing, as its focus on quality, customer satisfaction, and strong relationships encourages happy customers to recommend the brand, driving organic growth and reinforcing its premium image.
Starbucks has launched a number of campaigns to promote its brand and products. One of the most popular campaigns is the “Be the Change” campaign, which was launched in 2018. This campaign was aimed at inspiring people to make a positive change in their communities. The company also launched the “Create Your Blend” campaign, which allowed customers to customize their own coffee blends.
Starbucks has also launched a number of creative campaigns to promote its products. For example, it launched the “Frappuccino Happy Hour” campaign, which offered discounts and freebies to customers who purchased Frappuccino drinks. The company also ran the “Taste the Season” campaign, which promoted its seasonal beverages.
Frappuccino Happy Hour
Starbucks Marketing Strategies
Starbucks has implemented a number of marketing strategies to stay ahead of the competition. Here are some of the most important marketing strategies that the company has used over the years:
The Starbucks logo alone has undergone four redesigns over the period of 47 years to become the recognizable design that currently adorns your coffee cup. Starbucks reportedly had a unique difficulty when it opted to update its logo in 2011. They needed a brand design that would be appealing to a broad audience because they operated in 55 different countries. Thus, the newest logo was created. In order for the brand to possibly go outside coffee supplies, the phrases Starbucks and Coffee were removed from the logo.
Evolution of Starbucks’s Logo
Everything about Starbucks looks, sounds, and feels like Starbucks, including the ambiance in their locations, their internet content, and their advertising. Even the mugs and tumblers that you may purchase in the store have a simple, contemporary style.
You may enter any Starbucks in your neighborhood or an hour away and get the same experience. They will still refer to their sizes using the same Italian names (Tall, Grande, Venti, etc.), and the coffee you purchase from one store will taste the same as that from another.
Social Media and Digital Marketing Strategy
Starbucks has an active presence on many social media platforms, including Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. It uses these platforms to interact with customers and promote its products. The company also uses social media to run contests and giveaways to engage customers and create brand loyalty.
They also engage in conversations with their followers and customers on social media platforms, especially Twitter, that are very similar to the ones their baristas would have in-store. These are frequently brief dialogues that focus on the customer’s connection with the brand.
Starbucks, Twitter
The distinct branding, aesthetically engaging content, and interactive postings on Starbucks’ social media pages increase user engagement. Eye-catching photos, movies, recipes, essays, and more may be found among the variety of materials. The Starbucks social media marketing plan divides the content stream into a number of campaigns in addition to emphasizing its aesthetic appeal.
Loyalty Programs
Starbucks has launched a number of loyalty programs to reward customers for their loyalty. These programs offer discounts, free drinks, and other rewards to customers who frequently visit their stores.
Starbucks has created a loyalty program to get consumers to return. Signing up with My Starbucks Rewards requires minimal money (downloading the app or registering a gift card). And rewards are given for each purchase made using the account. An online account that can be accessed from both desktops and mobile devices is used to manage the program.
Starbucks Gift Card
By utilizing information from members’ past purchases, Starbucks may interact with its customers on a deeper level by offering customized incentives or promotions to try different drinks. Marketing and business growth are significantly influenced by customer loyalty. Customers who are consistently pleased and satisfied develop loyalty and connections, which may help with customer retention and increased profitability. Also, returning customers may bring a wider network into both implicit and explicit endorsement for improved interaction and feedback.
Leveraging Technology
Starbucks has long been a renowned mobile innovator. The business released its first mobile app in 2009 after seeing the smartphone revolution early on. The much-loved in-app payment function was then released in 2011. When Starbucks introduced mobile order ahead, prepay, and pickup in 2014, it was a game changer.
Starbucks on the Appstore
Starbucks has developed mobile apps that allow customers to pay for their purchases, order food and drinks, and manage their loyalty accounts. These apps also enable customers to access exclusive offers and discounts. Customers appreciated the simple convenience of no line-up and no waiting.
Although there were more transactions, the “third place,” the idea that gave rise to Starbucks, started to lose ground.
Just in 2019, mobile orders made up 31% of all orders, while to-go orders accounted for 80% of all transactions. Cold beverages were outselling hot drinks because they are inherently more portable. There were no longer groups of people conversing over coffee. Café culture was disintegrating, and Starbucks’ brand identity went along with it. Company officials made suggestions about intentions to “reinvent” or “reimagine” the “third place” idea in the years leading up to 2020. Starbucks was going through an identity crisis; it wanted to evolve but wasn’t sure what to do next.
With the help of its mobile app, Starbucks aimed to strengthen the sense of community. The secret to any successful client encounter? Personalization. The software started gathering information about distinct user preferences and shopping patterns in order to eventually provide special discount offers. The software also reveals the tunes being played in the shop when a consumer picks up a mobile order. This apparently little personalization creates a seamless brand engagement that unites the online and offline experiences. It is redesigning its third place to a digital space.
Experiential Marketing
Starbucks has used experiential marketing to create memorable experiences for customers. It has organized music events, art exhibitions, and other activities to engage customers and create a positive brand image.
How do they persuade people to spend so much money when they could just make coffee at home? As customers enter their stores, they provide them with an experience. They convince their clients that the cost of the drink is worthwhile by putting an emphasis on the third place and providing a space for them to interact and socialize. Being told to sit in the café with your laptop and work while enjoying a wonderful cup of coffee might be reassuring. That is the experience offered by Starbucks.
Retail Partnerships
Starbucks has partnered with various retailers to expand its reach. It has partnered with grocery stores, convenience stores, and other retailers to offer its products to more customers.
By acquiring Evolution Fresh in November 2011, Starbucks entered the $1.6 billion juice industry. Starbucks’ efforts to get into the cold-pressed juice market demonstrate its interest in the health and wellness sector.
In June 2013, Starbucks announced that it would buy the San Francisco-based bakery brand La Boulange.
We think excellent coffee ought to be coupled with outstanding cuisine, said Starbucks President Howard Schultz.
The “Starbucks tea revolution” has been labeled as a result of this Teavana acquisition. Starbucks’ greatest purchase to date is the tea retailer Teavana Holdings Inc. Starbucks launched Teavana Tea Bars and added Teavana specialty beverages to its menu after reaching a $620 million closing.
Starbucks’s Teavana Acquisition
The increased demand for yogurt in the US led to the agreement with Danone. With its Dannon, Activia, Stonyfield Farm, and Danimals brands, Danone has an astonishing 30% of the yogurt market. Greek yogurt parfaits were the first Starbucks-Danone goods, and they were marketed under Evolution Fresh.
A contract was inked between Starbucks and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters in March 2011. The two businesses would now be partners for a period of five years. The cooperation covers the production, promotion, sale, and distribution of single-serve Keurig packs with the Starbucks and Tazo brands, also known as K-Cups.
Starbucks recently committed to redesigning the in-store experience around customer preferences. Starbucks has entered highly lucrative international markets thanks to strategic alliances and acquisitions with Evolution Fresh, La Boulange, Teavana, Danone, and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters.
Product Innovation
Starbucks has continually introduced new products to stay ahead of the competition. It has launched new coffee blends, flavored syrups, and other products to meet the changing needs of customers.
It does not just focus on product innovation but also on enhancing customer experience. From trying to make Starbucks the third place to the innovative mobile app, Starbucks has always tried to enhance customer experience.
Partnerships with other Brands
Starbucks has entered into partnerships with other brands to create exclusive products. These partnerships have enabled the company to reach new customers and strengthen its brand image.
Given that younger generations place their smartphones at the center of their content consumption and may be persuaded to join programs with cross-partnership perks, Starbucks’ collaboration with music streaming service Spotify highlights the unrealized potential of fusing mobile loyalty programs for food and beverage marketers with music.
Starbucks also partnered with Flipkart during the pandemic to sell Starbucks personalized merchandise like cups, bottles, and more.
Starbucks India and Flipkart engage in a fun banter on Twitter
Their partnerships benefit both brands by leveraging the other brand’s customer base.
Social Responsibility
Do you know that Starbucks is among the global businesses that care the most about social issues? At both the national and international levels, it has used its brand to advocate for social causes. In order to provide a safe harbor for people of all preferences, Starbucks has made its stores LGBT-friendly. Some companies are increasingly attempting to blur this barrier, yet they remain neutral when discussing issues that are actually polarising. Nonetheless, Starbucks does annually provide millions of dollars to aid migrants and refugees throughout the globe, like during the 2015 Syrian crisis.
Starbucks LGBT, Every name’s a story
Also, Starbucks has worked hard to integrate 10,000 veterans into its workforce, a move that has received a lot of praise around the nation. In a nutshell, Starbucks is socially conscious and works to change society at large.
Starbucks is one of the most recognizable brands in the world, and it has achieved this success through its innovative marketing strategies. Starbucks marketing strategies focus on delivering premium products, creating a unique customer experience, leveraging digital platforms, and maintaining strong brand loyalty worldwide. Hope this article helps you learn from various marketing strategies employed by Starbucks and craft a strategy for your business. Starbucks is an excellent example of how a business can use marketing to create a strong brand image and increase its sales. With the right marketing strategy, you too can make your business a success.
FAQs
What is the marketing strategy of Starbucks?
Here are some of the most important marketing strategies that the company has used over the years:
Brand Consistency
Social Media
Loyalty Programs
Leveraging Technology
Experiential Marketing
Retail Partnerships
Product Innovation
Social Responsibility
What is the target audience of Starbucks?
Starbucks has a broad target audience, but it mainly focuses on young professionals, students, and other people who have busy lifestyles.
How does Starbucks promote their products?
Starbucks promotes its products through ads on social media and online platforms, along with reward programs and special discounts. They also rely on happy customers sharing their experiences to spread the word.
What is the digital marketing strategy of Starbucks?
Starbucks uses social media, mobile apps, and online ads to engage customers, promote offers, and enable easy ordering and payments.
What is Starbucks logo meaning?
The Starbucks logo features a twin-tailed siren (mermaid), which symbolizes mystery, allure, and the sea, a nod to the company’s maritime roots and coffee’s journey across oceans. It represents Starbucks’ aim to captivate customers and offer a unique, irresistible coffee experience.
Which is Starbucks parent company?
Starbucks’ parent company is Starbucks Corporation, which is the main company that owns and operates the Starbucks brand worldwide.
Hey there, fellow explorer! Are you ready to embark on a delightful journey through the aromatic world of coffee? Today, we’re diving into the bustling coffee culture of India, where coffee shops are more than just places to grab a cup of joe—they’re vibrant hubs for socializing, working, and simply enjoying life. Buckle up as we explore the top coffee shop franchises in India that you absolutely must know about.
Why Is the Coffee Franchise a Great Business Opportunity?
Investing in a coffee franchise is a fantastic business opportunity for several compelling reasons. Firstly, coffee is a universally loved beverage with a consistent, year-round demand, ensuring a steady stream of customers. Additionally, coffee shops have evolved into social and cultural hubs, attracting a diverse clientele ranging from students and professionals to families and tourists. By aligning with an established brand, franchisees can leverage proven business models, comprehensive training programs, and robust marketing strategies, significantly reducing the risks associated with starting a business from scratch. With the growing coffee culture in India, a coffee franchise promises not just profitability but also the joy of being part of a thriving community.
List of Coffee Franchises in India
Here is a list of some of the top coffee franchises in India:
First on our list is the iconic Café Coffee Day (CCD). Known for its catchy slogan, “A lot can happen over coffee,” CCD has been a trailblazer in India’s coffee shop culture. With over 1,700 outlets across the country, it’s hard to miss these vibrant red-and-white cafes. It is one of the best coffee shop franchise in India. Café Coffee Day franchises in India typically require a store area of 1,000 to 1,500 sq. ft. The initial investment ranges from INR 50 lakh to INR 1 crore. Franchisees can expect a return on investment (ROI) of around 20-25%, with the company charging an 8% royalty on gross sales. This makes it a popular choice for entrepreneurs in the café business.
Next up is the globally renowned Starbucks. Since it entered the Indian market in 2012, Starbucks has quickly become a favorite among coffee aficionados. With its premium coffee and chic ambiance, it’s easy to see why. Starbucks franchises in India generally require a store area between 1,000 and 2,000 sq. ft. The initial investment ranges from INR 1.5 crore to INR 2 crore. Franchisees can expect a return on investment (ROI) of 15-20%, with a royalty fee of 7% on gross sales. This premium brand attracts urban customers looking for a high-quality coffee experience.
Barista brings a touch of Italian coffee culture to India. Established in 2000, Barista has been serving delightful coffee experiences for over two decades. With its focus on creating a genuine Italian coffee experience, Barista has carved out a niche for itself. Barista franchises in India usually require a store area of 1,000 to 1,500 sq. ft., with an initial investment between INR 50 lakh and INR 1 crore. Franchisees can expect a return on investment (ROI) of 18-22%, and the company charges an 8% royalty on gross sales. Barista is known for its strong presence in the urban café market.
Costa Coffee is another global brand that has made its mark in India. Known for its distinctive blend and rich flavors, Costa Coffee offers a premium coffee experience that’s hard to beat. Costa Coffee franchises in India typically need a store area of 1,500 to 2,000 sq. ft. The initial investment ranges from INR 1 crore to INR 1.5 crore. Franchisees can expect an ROI of 15-18%, with a royalty fee of 6% on gross sales. Costa Coffee is popular among office-goers and premium coffee lovers.
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf – The Californian Charm
Coffee Franchise
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Area Required
1,000 – 1,500 sq. ft.
Investment
INR 75 lakh – INR 1.2 crores
ROI
15-20%
Royalty
7% of gross sales
Coffee Franchises in India – The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Bringing a bit of Californian charm to India, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (CBTL) is known for its premium coffee and tea blends. With a focus on quality and sustainability, CBTL has won the hearts of many Indian coffee enthusiasts. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf franchises in India generally require a store area of 1,000 to 1,500 sq. ft. The initial investment ranges between INR 75 lakh and INR 1.2 crores. Franchisees can expect an ROI of 15-20%, with a royalty fee of 7% on gross sales. The brand caters to niche premium coffee and tea lovers.
Coffee Franchises in India – Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters
For those who prefer a homegrown brand, Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters is a must-visit. Founded in 2013, Blue Tokai has quickly gained a reputation for its artisan coffee and commitment to quality. Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters franchises in India typically require a store area of 500 to 1,000 sq. ft. The initial investment ranges from INR 20 lakh to INR 50 lakh. Franchisees can expect a strong ROI of 25-30%, with a royalty fee of 5% on gross sales. The brand is well-known for its specialty coffee and appeals to urban coffee enthusiasts.
Third Wave Coffee Roasters – The Specialty Coffee Pioneer
Coffee Franchise
Third Wave Coffee Roasters
Area Required
500 – 1,000 sq. ft.
Investment
INR 30 lakh – INR 70 lakh
ROI
20-25%
Royalty
6% of gross sales
Coffee Franchises in India – Third Wave Coffee Roasters
Third Wave Coffee Roasters is another homegrown brand that’s making waves in the specialty coffee scene. With a focus on quality and innovation, Third Wave Coffee Roasters offers a unique coffee experience. It is one of the low-investment coffee franchises in India. Third Wave Coffee Roasters franchises in India usually require a store area of 500 to 1,000 sq. ft. The initial investment ranges between INR 30 lakh and INR 70 lakh. Franchisees can expect an ROI of 20-25%, with a royalty fee of 6% on gross sales. The brand targets trend-conscious customers and specialty coffee seekers.
Coffee Culture
Coffee Franchise
Coffee Culture
Area Required
800 – 1,500 sq. ft.
Investment
INR 40 lakh – INR 1 crore
ROI
25-30%
Royalty
5% of gross sales
Coffee Franchises in India – Coffee Culture
Coffee Culture is a popular café franchise brand in India known for its vibrant ambiance and youth-focused offerings. Founded in 2004, it operates in over 20 cities and targets casual café-goers and millennials. The franchise requires an investment of around INR 40 lakh to INR 1 crore with a store space of 800–1,500 sq. ft. It offers a promising ROI of 25–30% and charges a 5% royalty on gross sales. Coffee Culture’s quirky interiors and diverse menu make it a standout in India’s growing café market.
And there you have it, fellow explorer—a tantalizing tour of the top coffee shop franchises in India! Each of these coffee shops offers a unique experience, ensuring that there’s something for everyone. Whether you’re a die-hard coffee lover or just looking for a cozy place to relax, these cafes have got you covered.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your favorite book, your laptop, or a friend, and head to one of these amazing coffee shops. Your next great coffee adventure awaits!
FAQs
Which are the most popular coffee franchises in India?
Some of the most popular coffee franchises in India are as below:
Café Coffee Day
Starbucks
Barista
Costa Coffee
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters
Third Wave Coffee Roasters
Which are the low-investment coffee franchises in India?
Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters and Third Wave Coffee Roasters are low-investment coffee franchises in India.
How much area and investment is needed to open a Starbucks franchise in India?
The area needed to open a Starbucks franchise in India is somewhere between 1000-2000 sq. ft. with an investment of INR 1.5 crore to INR 2 crore.
What is the Third Wave Coffee franchise cost?
Third Wave Coffee Roasters franchises in India usually require a store area of 500 to 1,000 sq. ft. The initial investment ranges between INR 30 lakh and INR 70 lakh.
What is the Blue Tokai franchise cost?
Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters franchises in India typically require a store area of 500 to 1,000 sq. ft. The initial investment ranges from INR 20 lakh to INR 50 lakh.
Thinking about coffee? Yeah, me too! And when it’s about coffee, no one can beat Starbucks! The most delicious American coffeehouse and company. But what keeps this company incredibly successful?
So, to bring a better perspective to the business model of Starbucks, we have presented this article for you. Starbucks was based in Seattle, Washington, and started to nurture people with the pleasure of coffee at a time. And today, this coffeehouse is established in more than 38,000 places across the globe.
Starbucks is a choice for all! To find out what makes a company successful on a global scale, this piece will take a close look at its business ecosystem. Through this article, we will get to know all the essential strategies of Starbucks’ business model and how the company operates and makes money. We will discuss the strategies, plan, and revenue model. But most importantly, we will know what’s unique about the Starbucks business model that keeps it at the top. Let’s get started!
About Starbucks
The American-based multinational chain of coffeehouses, Starbucks, is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Starbucks is responsible for the utmost coffee culture in the United States.
The coffeehouse was founded by Jerry Baldwin, Gordon Bowker, and Zev Siegl in 1971 (around 50 years ago). Starbucks was widely welcomed by Americans in their coffee culture. And now, Starbucks is well-established in around 38,038 places across the world, as of 2024. It serves over 83 countries worldwide. Its headquarters are in Seattle, USA.
Starbucks is well known for serving utterly delicious hot and cold drinks, whole-bean coffee, various instant flavoured coffee, including espresso, latte, and others. It also serves loose-leaf teas such as Evolution Fresh juices, Frappuccino, and many others. La Boulange pastries and other snacks as well. Moreover, Starbucks offers tons of different customer-based offers like free Wi-Fi and many others.
In 1971, on the cobblestone streets of Seattle’s iconic Pike Place Market, Starbucks was launched. In this same spot, Starbucks originally welcomed visitors with the promise of freshly roasted coffee beans, tea, and spices sourced from all corners of the globe. Its headquarters are in Seattle, USA, and the company was founded by Gerald Baldwin, Gordon Bowker, and Zev Siegl. There are currently over 38,038 outlets spread out over the globe.
Where Does Starbucks Operate?
As of 2025, Starbucks operates in around 80–83 countries with approximately 32,000+ stores worldwide.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
United States: Over 17,000 company-operated stores as of June 2025.
China: Around 7,700 company-owned stores, with a total push toward 9,000 by the end of 2025 .
Other key markets:
Japan: ~1,800 stores
South Korea: ~1,980 stores
Canada: ~1,483 stores
United Kingdom: ~1,354 stores
Indonesia: ~603 stores
Latin America & Caribbean: ~1,700 licensed stores.
Other regions (EMEA, Asia, etc.): Thousands more, with a focus on Europe, the Middle East, Africa, including a major footprint via local franchise partners like Alsea.
Key Products and Services of Starbucks
Starbucks mainly focuses on better interaction with its customers. Therefore, it offers its key services, such as communication, for a better connection with audiences. The bond between customers and the coffeehouse becomes very strong. And Starbucks always gets the best relationship throughout.
This also encourages a calm and relaxing environment inside Starbucks’ stores. They aim to touch the inner soul of their customers. And in such a manner, the consumers always come back for more coffee and snacks.
Target Audience of Starbucks
The world-famous chain of coffeehouses, Starbucks, targets its audience through demographic segmentation. It mainly targets people aged 25-44 years. This rounds up around half of the total business revenue.
The next large target group is young adults around the age of 18-24 years. Through these major groups, Starbucks earns a great source of revenue. And these together bring around 40% of Starbucks’ total sales.
A collection of concepts that define Starbucks and its place in the market forms the basis of the company’s business model. Providing first-rate goods and services, building strong communities, and giving customers something truly special are the fundamental elements of these concepts. Starbucks has succeeded in attracting and retaining customers by emphasising these features. It offers multiple beverages are available, including hot and cold drinks, VIA, coffee made from whole beans, tea made from entire leaves or loose leaves, lattes, fresh juices, Frappuccino drinks, and more.
Starbucks Business Model Canvas
The above image shows the business model canvas of Starbucks in detail.
Starbucks’ business model is well designed to make the business work, and also, how it can make more profit. Starbucks gathers its value through incredible customer interaction and experience.
It also sells a variety of foods such as cakes, yoghurt, salads, pastries, and more. By popularising darkly roasted coffee, Starbucks has set itself apart from other coffee firms. Starbucks’ usage of automated espresso equipment sets them apart from other coffee producers. Coffee producers and roasters are integral parts of Starbucks’ business plan.
When it comes to globalising a business, suppliers are essential allies. In order to guarantee a steady supply of high-quality coffee goods, it interacts with farmers, roasters, and shippers. In the case of items other than coffee, it collaborates with a number of regional, state, and local vendors. Starbucks’ business model relies on a distribution network that includes both company-operated and licensed locations to sell its products. In addition to these channels, it sells its products through warehouse clubs, specialty stores, grocery stores, and supermarkets. Starbucks business plan focuses on expanding company-owned and licensed stores, enhancing customer experience, and growing packaged product sales globally.
Starbucks gives people the pleasure of drinking coffee. It creates a calm and relaxing environment for its customers with great quality beverages in its coffeehouses. Starbucks has always been pretty creative in its business methods and strategies.
It offers instant, on-time delivery to its customers consistently. Now that we have the basic idea of the business model of Starbucks, let’s get our minds to what is unique about its business model and how it actually makes money.
What Is Unique About the Business Model of Starbucks?
Starbucks has opted for the most creative and unique marketing strategies. It has received immense success through its business model and strategies. But the thing that makes the business model utterly unique is the Classic Logo, which works best to engage more loyal customers throughout. The concept of the logo is to gather a huge audience base.
The other thing is how it presents its advertisements to its customers. With its store, modern cup design, digital content, and many others, it provides customers with a feeling of warmth and comfort. That’s why the audience connects more with Starbucks.
How Starbucks Makes Money | Starbucks Revenue Model
Starbucks’ company-operated outlets generate the bulk of the company’s income. Starbucks sells coffee, drinks, and snack items in its thousands of shops throughout the world, generating enormous revenue. Let’s find out the revenue streams through which Starbucks earns money.
Starbucks Revenue Streams | Starbucks Revenue Model
Part of Starbucks’ success in this sector comes from its ability to provide a pleasant and uniform experience for customers everywhere. From the welcoming decor to the warm smiles of the coffee shop employees and the scent of freshly brewed coffee, Starbucks has perfected the art of creating a welcoming and comfortable environment for its customers.
In addition, the company-operated Starbucks locations are great for more than just getting a cup of coffee on the go. People now gather there for a variety of reasons, including socialising, studying, and working. Book clubs, live music, and art exhibitions are just some of the events that these establishments frequently host. Starbucks has succeeded in attracting and retaining customers by encouraging a feeling of belonging among its patrons.
Earnings for Starbucks come from both company-operated and licensed locations. Partners who have secured a licence to sell Starbucks products run these sites. By using a licensing strategy, Starbucks is able to go into new areas and serve more customers without taking on the entire financial and operational risk of running its outlets. Using its well-known brand name, Starbucks has expanded into packaged coffee, tea, and other goods that may be found in grocery stores and on the internet. Starbucks guarantees extensive distribution and maximum availability of its packaged products through partnerships with shops and online platforms.
Number of Starbucks Stores Worldwide (2003-2024)
USP of Starbucks
Customers will have a more favorable impression of Starbucks since they know they will enjoy what they purchase. Starbucks hosts events where customers can win t-shirts, mugs, and gift cards to celebrate the opening of new outlets. To boost their “brand awareness and brand loyalty,” Starbucks depends significantly on word-of-mouth publicity.
Starbucks Competitors
Starbucks faces competition from many other big and small coffee brands around the world. Here are some of the major ones:
Dunkin’ Donuts – Famous for coffee and donuts, Dunkin’ started in 1950 and now has over 11,500 stores in 35+ countries.
Costa Coffee – A popular British coffee chain founded in 1970, now owned by Coca-Cola.
McCafé – McDonald’s coffee brand, launched in 1993, found in many McDonald’s locations worldwide.
Tim Hortons – A top Canadian brand known for coffee and donuts, with over 4,600 stores across 13 countries.
Peet’s Coffee – Started in 1966, Peet’s is known for its strong, freshly roasted coffee.
Lavazza – A famous Italian coffee brand, founded in 1895, with cafes mainly in Europe.
Café Coffee Day – India’s biggest coffee chain, started in 1996, with stores in parts of Africa, Europe, and Asia.
Local coffee shops – Starbucks also competes with thousands of small, independent cafés all over the world.
So while Starbucks is a global giant, it’s always competing with both well-known brands and cozy neighborhood coffee spots.
Starbucks SWOT Analysis
SWOT Analysis of Starbucks
Starbucks Strength
Worldwide, the term “Starbucks” draws up images of coffee shops and positive consumer experiences.
This company’s youthful clientele is a key factor in its dramatic rise to popularity and rapid expansion.
Every Starbucks is known for its great atmosphere and friendly service.
The name and symbol of Starbucks are easily remembered.
Starbucks Weakness
Many people think that Starbucks’ menu prices are too high when compared to other chains and local businesses.
In many emerging countries, including India, Starbucks is still on the rise.
There has been a shift among health-conscious consumers towards beverages with a focus on nutrition.
Starbucks Opportunities
To make coffee-based products more affordable for the target market, consider introducing more affordable alternatives.
Starbucks can explore newer markets by targeting smaller towns and cities.
Perhaps they might expand their product line to include more than just coffee. In many markets, such as the UK and India, tea is the beverage of choice.
Starbucks Threats
Competitors include already-established coffee shops and fast food joints that sell coffee with other foods.
Threats of substitute products and services include other beverage items, such as colas, teas, or liquids that are sold in retail stores.
Conclusion
Starbucks’ business model is quite known for its strategic deals and promotions. Their business model is utterly successful and always finds more customer engagement. It has a good impact through its licensed and company-operated stores. It works with simplicity and stands up to its ethics.
Today, Starbucks is a well-established company with a huge audience base. The business model of Starbucks shows that with utter determination and hard work, you can achieve everything within your reach.
FAQ
What is Starbucks business model?
Starbucks follows a premium café retail model, selling high-quality coffee, beverages, and food in a cozy, customer-focused environment. It earns revenue through company-owned stores, licensed stores, and branded products sold in retail channels.
Who is the founder of Starbucks?
Gordon Bowker, Jerry Baldwin, and Zev Siegl founded Starbucks in 1971.
Is Starbucks owned by Tata?
Tata Starbucks Private Limited is a joint venture company owned by Tata Consumer Products and Starbucks Corporation.
Who are the competitors of Starbucks?
The competitors of Starbucks include Costa Coffee, Tim Hortons, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Cafe Coffee Day and others.
How does Starbucks operate?
Starbucks operates through company-owned and licensed stores, selling coffee, food, and merchandise. It focuses on delivering a consistent, high-quality customer experience worldwide, both in-store and through packaged products sold in retail and online.
How many Starbucks are there in the world?
There are 40199 Starbucks, as of 2024 in the world.
How does Starbucks make money?
ChatGPT said:
Starbucks makes money by selling coffee, drinks, and food in its stores, earning from both company-owned and licensed outlets, and through packaged products sold in supermarkets and online.
Most individuals, particularly in India, believe that a college degree is required to get employed by a company or to obtain a white-collar job. And yes, most employers do require a graduate degree, but this is not the case for all employers. There are still some businesses that are willing to give folks a chance. You can get the job with or without a degree if you have the enthusiasm and the correct mindset.
Many large firms, such as Apple and Google, are now recruiting people without degrees because they are searching for smart and bright individuals who can be turned into great assets for the company with the correct training and working experience.
College may be quite expensive and time-consuming for some of us, and when there are so many other ways to make money without going to college, why waste time on it? College is not for everyone. If you have the right skills, companies won’t mind hiring you, no matter what marks you have on your official papers.
There are many companies out there that don’t require a college degree to get hired. Instead, they focus on skills, experience, and potential. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the top companies that are leading the way in this trend and discuss why they believe that a degree is not always necessary for success in the workplace.
Top 15 Companies That Don’t Require a Degree – Google Office
The first company that comes to mind that requires no college degree is Google, as the founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin are both college dropouts who pursued their dream over their degrees and are now some of the most successful entrepreneurs of all time.
Google is known for its innovative and forward-thinking approach to business, and this extends to its hiring practices. The tech giant no longer requires a college degree for many of their positions, instead focusing on skills and experience. For example, Google has launched a certificate program in IT Support, which teaches students the skills they need to be successful in entry-level IT support roles. Google has also stated that they value skills like problem-solving, communication, and leadership just as much as a college degree.
It is simple to get a job at Google, but keep in mind that the organization requires specific talents and work experience. Even if you don’t have a college degree or certificate, you won’t get hired if you don’t have the necessary skills. You must demonstrate to them that you can contribute to the company’s success.
Top 15 Companies That Don’t Require a Degree – Apple Office
As previously said, the majority of famous entrepreneurs were college dropouts who nevertheless succeeded. Steve Jobs is one of them. He was also a dropout from college, but that didn’t stop him from building a trillion-dollar business.
Apple has also made it clear that having a degree is not important, but they look for candidates who are passionate about their work and have a track record of success in their field. Apple has stated that they value skills like creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking just as much as a degree. It all boils down to training, as new employees are generally provided training before becoming fully-fledged workers at these big companies.
Top 15 Companies That Don’t Require a Degree – Netflix Office
Unlike the last two, Netflix’s founders, Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph, were not college dropouts, but Netflix, like other large corporations, hires employees who can execute the job and have the necessary skills, regardless of their educational background. Even if you have no college degree, there are still some job openings at Netflix that you can apply for and get the job if you have what they are looking for. Netflix does look for candidates who have a strong track record of success and relevant experience in their field. Netflix also values soft skills like creativity, teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.
Top 15 Companies That Don’t Require a Degree – Starbucks
Even if you have no prior barista or related experience, you can easily apply and get a job at Starbucks because the firm provides training to its newly hired employees so that they can be beneficial to the company and do their tasks effectively.
Most people who have worked at Starbucks would tell you that they were employed without any experience, but that thanks to the company’s training and work experience, they now know everything there is to know about the coffee business. One might also use their education and professional experience to start their own business. Starbucks also has a program called the “Pathways to Opportunity” program that provides employees with the opportunity to earn a college degree at no cost.
Top 15 Companies That Don’t Require a Degree – Zoho Corporation
Zoho is a software development company based in India that has a reputation for hiring candidates based on their skills and abilities, rather than their educational qualifications. Zoho is looking for employees who don’t have a graduate degree but are eager to learn and improve. The company provides new employees with training, and once the training period is completed, the individuals are eligible to join and work as full-time employees.
Over academic credentials, Zoho places a premium on talent and skills. Zoho has also created an internal training program called “Zoho University” that provides training and development opportunities for employees, regardless of their educational background. This program has been successful in helping candidates develop the skills needed to succeed in their roles at Zoho. To be eligible for the training, however, one must have completed the 12th grade. The company does not require a graduate degree, but it does require 12th-grade passing certificate.
Top 15 Companies That Don’t Require a Degree – QBurst Office
QBurst is a product design and advisory firm based in the United States. It hires people all around the world, and from India too. The company has a culture that values creativity, innovation, and a passion for technology, and they look for candidates who can demonstrate these qualities. One can get a chance in the company even without a college degree or certificate, but the company demands experience and a high level of expertise in what you are doing. One must be really knowledgeable about the field and provide an impressive work history.
QBurst also provides training and development opportunities for employees, which allows them to grow their skills and expertise over time. So, if you have relevant skills and experience in the digital solutions field, QBurst could be a great place to work, regardless of your educational qualifications.
Herman Hollerith, Thomas J. Watson, Charles Ranlett Flint
Headquarters
New York, United States
Top 15 Companies That Don’t Require a Degree – IBM Office
IBM has a long history of valuing skills over credentials. In fact, they have been hiring non-college graduates for decades and have even launched their own apprenticeship program to help train and hire people without degrees. IBM is focused on finding candidates with the right skills and potential, and they believe that a college degree is not always the best indicator of success in the workplace.
In fact, IBM is one of the best companies that provides training and technical support to individuals all over the world with the promise of employment in the company. The company provides training and all the necessary tools to transform trainees into skillful assets for the company. There is no requirement for a college degree or certificate, and one can apply for it easily.
8. Whole Foods Market
Website
www.wholefoodsmarket.com
Founded
1980
Founders
John Mackey, Renee Lawson Hardy, Mark Skiles, Craig Weller
Headquarters
Texas, United States
Top 15 Companies That Don’t Require a Degree – Whole Foods Market
The company is known for selling organic fresh food products with no added preservatives or any other additives. The company requires no college degree for joining ,but one must have the talent they are looking for. The company has many perks of working there, like a 20% in-store discount, Mental health assistance and many more.
Whole Foods Market is one of the companies hiring without degree, also has a policy that encourages managers to look beyond a candidate’s educational background and consider other factors, such as relevant work experience, cultural fit, and soft skills like communication and teamwork.
9. Hilton
Website
www.hilton.com
Founded
1919
Founders
Conrad Nicholson Hilton
Headquarters
Virginia, United States
Hilton Office
Hilton is a hospitality company, based in the USA, and has hotels all over the world. They are known for their commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. As part of this commitment, Hilton does not require a college degree for many of their positions, instead focusing on skills like customer service, communication, and teamwork. They have also launched a program called “Rise,” which provides education and training opportunities to help employees develop the skills they need to advance in their careers. The company also provides internships for freshers who want to learn and gain some experience.
10. Bank of America
Website
www.bankofamerica.com
Founded
1998
Founders
Amadeo Giannini, Hugh McColl
Headquarters
North Carolina, United States
Bank of America – Company that don’t require a degree
Bank of America, also known as BOA, is an American multinational investment bank and financial services company based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The bank has several branches all over the globe, including Hong Kong, Toronto, Dallas, and New York. The corporation requires no degree to apply, and one can have a great learning experience there.
Bank of America also has a program called “Pathways” that provides on-the-job training and development opportunities for candidates who do not have a college degree but have relevant work experience and potential.
11. Chipotle
Website
www.chipotle.com
Founded
1993
Founders
Steve Ells
Headquarters
Carolina, United States
Companies That Hire Without a Degree – Chipotle
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc., famously known as ‘Chipotle’, is America’s largest food chain and has restaurants in different countries like Canada, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. The company also provides jobs without degrees. So, if you have relevant skills and experience in the food service industry and a passion for customer service and teamwork, Chipotle could be a great place to work, regardless of your educational qualifications.
Chipotle has a history of promoting employees from within the company, which means that there are opportunities for employees to build their careers and move up the ranks, even if they don’t have a college degree.
12. Home Depot
Website
www.homedepot.com
Founded
1978
Founders
Bernard Marcus, Ken Langone, Arthur Blank, Pat Farrah, Ron Brill
Headquarters
Georgia, United States
Companies That Hire Without a Degree – The Home Depot
The Home Depot, Inc., also known as Home Depot, is one of the biggest home improvement, home innovation, and remodeling companies in America. The company has stores in different countries like China, Canada, Mexico, South America, and the United Kingdom. The company values qualities like customer service, teamwork, and a passion for home improvement, and they look for candidates who can demonstrate these qualities, regardless of their educational background. One can easily apply for a job at the company without worrying about having a college degree.
The company is an employee-owned store, which means the employees own the stakes in the company. And the company provides jobs with or without a degree, so it doesn’t matter. Publix is a USA-based company that operates in the southeastern part of the country.
The company also values diversity and inclusion, and it strives to create a positive and supportive work environment for all employees. So, if you have relevant skills and experience in retail or customer service, and a passion for teamwork and a positive work environment, Publix could be a great place to work, regardless of your educational qualifications.
14. Costco Wholesale
Website
www.costco.com
Founded
1976
Founders
James Sinegal, Jeffrey H. Brotman
Headquarters
Washington, United States
Companies That Hire Without a Degree – Costco Wholesale
Costco Wholesale Corporation, more commonly known as Costco, is based in America and has member-only warehouses and retail stores. It is known to hire candidates based on their skills, experience, and potential, rather than their educational qualifications.. If you are looking for job opportunities at Costco Wholesale, you can easily apply here as the company does not ask for a college degree and hires on the basis of skills and talent.
Nordstrom, Inc. is a luxury department store based in the United States. The company started as a shoe store but now sells premium clothing, bags, makeup, and so much more. The company hires most of its employees without any college degree, and one can easily apply and get a job there if they have the skills for it. So, if you have relevant skills and experience in sales or a passion for fashion, Nordstrom could be a great place to work, regardless of your educational qualifications.
16. Lowe’s
Website
www.lowes.com
Founded
1921
Founders
Carl Buchan
Headquarters
North Carolina, United States
Companies That Hire Without a Degree – Lowe’s
Lowe’s Companies, Inc., also known as Lowe’s, is an independent store that sells several things, especially home renovation products, based in Mooresville, North Carolina. The company has stores in the USA and Canada. Lowe’s also hires people with no college degrees, and it can be a great opportunity for people looking for a career in retail.
Companies That Hire Without a Degree – Penguin Random House
Penguin Random House is one of the largest book publishers in the world, and they are committed to hiring a diverse workforce that reflects the communities they serve. As part of this commitment, Penguin Random House does not require a college degree for many of its entry-level positions. Instead, they look for candidates with a passion for books and a willingness to learn. They have also launched a program called “Entry-Level Diversity Initiative,” which provides training and mentorship to help employees from diverse backgrounds succeed in the publishing industry.
18. Microsoft
Website
www.microsoft.com
Founded
1975
Founders
Bill Gates, Paul Allen
Headquarters
Washington, United States
Companies That Do Not Require a College Degree – Microsoft
Microsoft was started in 1975 and is now one of the biggest software companies in the world. It has played a huge role in growing the tech industry and keeps doing that by investing in new technologies.
Microsoft’s goal is to help people, whether they’re students, workers, or businesses, use technology to reach their full potential. The company has created many popular products like its own operating system (Windows), computers, web browsers, a search engine, and video games.
All of this is made possible by their passionate employees. Microsoft believes in hiring talented people, not just those with college degrees, but anyone who has useful skills and can add value to the company.
Amazon has completely changed the way we shop online by using the power of technology. Started in 1994, Amazon has grown into a global internet giant. In just a few decades, it became one of the most valuable companies in the world.
But this success didn’t happen overnight. Amazon kept trying new ideas and experimenting with different technologies to make shopping faster and easier for everyone. From blockchain and AI to supply chain systems and full-stack development, Amazon uses all kinds of tech to run its business.
The best part? Amazon cares more about your skills than your college degree. If you’re good at a certain technology, you could land a high-paying job there. And if you’re looking to build those skills, feel free to check out the resources on our website.
Companies That Do Not Require a College Degree – Tesla
Tesla, Inc. is an American company that makes electric cars. It was started on July 1, 2003, by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning. Today, Tesla is one of the most valuable companies in the world and has around 10,000 employees.
The best part? You don’t need a special degree to work at Tesla. Even college students can apply. A few months ago, Tesla’s CEO, Elon Musk, said that the company’s factories are growing fast and will be hiring many new people, no specific qualification needed!
Tesla offers jobs in different areas like manufacturing, customer support, and more. So if you’re skilled and eager to learn, Tesla might have a spot for you.
When it comes to jobs, the traditional requirement of a college degree is no longer a prerequisite for success in many companies today. As companies recognize the value of skills, experience, and potential, they are creating more opportunities for non-college graduates to thrive in the workplace. Companies like Google, Apple, IBM, Hilton Worldwide, and Penguin Random House are leading the way in this trend and proving that a degree is not always necessary for success. This shift in hiring practices has the potential to create a more diverse and inclusive workforce while also providing more opportunities for people from all backgrounds to pursue fulfilling careers. As the workforce continues to evolve, it’s exciting to see companies embracing new ways of finding and hiring top talent.
FAQs
Which company hire without degree?
Apple, Google, Bank of America, Starbucks, Zoho, IBM, Home Depot, WholeFoods, Penguin Random House, and Hilton are some of the top companies that hire without degrees.
What skills do companies value instead of a college degree?
Companies value a variety of skills, including problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, teamwork, creativity, and leadership. They also look for candidates with specific skills related to the job, such as IT skills or customer service skills.
Why do companies hire employees who don’t have a college degree?
Companies may hire employees who don’t have a college degree because they have specific skills or knowledge, to increase diversity and inclusion in their workforce, or to save costs associated with hiring college graduates.
Which IT companies hire without degree in India?
The top 15 companies that don’t require a degree in india
Infosys
Wipro
HCL Technologies
Tech Mahindra
Mphasis
Capgemini
TCS (Tata Consultancy Services)
Cognizant
Accenture
IBM India
Unacademy
Freshworks
ZOHO
Zerodha
CRED
Can I get job in MNC without degree?
Yes, it is possible to get a job in an MNC (Multinational Corporation) without a degree. However, it is important to note that MNCs still require candidates to have relevant skills and experience for their job openings, and they may have specific requirements for each position.
What is the highest paying job without college degree?
Real Estate agents, Wholesale and Manufacturing Sales Representatives, and Web Developers are some of the high-paying jobs that do not require a college degree.
Which are the companies that hire programmers without degrees?
Google, Apple, IBM, LinkedIn, Facebook, Pinterest, and Airbnb are the companies that hire programmers without degrees.
Do companies that don’t require a college degree only hire for entry-level positions?
No, many companies that do not require a college degree hire for a variety of positions, including mid-level and even executive roles. However, they still look for candidates with the skills and experience necessary for those positions.
Should I still consider getting a college degree?
That depends on your goals and career aspirations. While a college degree is not always necessary, it can still be beneficial in some industries and may open up more opportunities for advancement.
Which companies hire without degree in India?
In India, many companies are open to hiring people without a formal degree if they have the right skills. Companies like Zoho, Tech Mahindra, TCS, Wipro, and Infosys have training or skill-based hiring programs. Startups like Zerodha, CRED, Freshworks, and Unacademy also focus more on talent and hands-on experience than on qualifications.
Starbucks Corporation is an American coffee chain that was established in 1971 in Seattle, Washington. By 2023, the organization had a presence in over 38,000 areas around the world. Starbucks has been depicted as the fundamental delegate of “second wave espresso,” a reflectively-named development that advanced high-quality espresso and specially simmered coffee. Starbucks now uses robotized coffee machines for proficiency and well-being.
Starbucks serves hot and cold beverages, entire bean espresso, micro-ground moment espresso known as VIA, coffee, caffe latte, full-and free leaf teas such as Teavana tea products, Evolution Fresh squeezes, Frappuccino refreshments, La Boulange baked goods, and bites (for example, chips and wafers); some offerings such as the Pumpkin Spice Latte are explicit to the territory of the store. Numerous Starbucks outlets sell pre-bundled nourishment items, sweltering and cold sandwiches, and drinkware such as cups and tumblers. Furthermore, there are Select “Starbucks Evenings” areas that offer brew, wine, and appetizers.
Starbucks first ended up productive in Seattle in the mid-1980s. Despite an underlying financial downturn with its venture into the Midwest and British Columbia in the late 1980s, the organization experienced rejuvenated success with its entrance into California in the mid-1990s. Starbucks opened an average of two new stores every day between 1987 and 2007.
Brian Niccol is the current CEO of Starbucks, a role which he started on September 9, 2024. Before Niccol, Indian-American Laxman Narasimhan served as the CEO of Starbucks.
This article is a case study of Starbucks with Starbucks Startup Story, its presence in India, business strategy, future plans, and more.
Starbucks – Company Highlights
Startup Name
Starbucks
Headquarters
Seattle, Washington, United States
Sector
Food and Beverage, Hospitality
Founders
Gordon Bowker, Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl
Founded
1971
Valuation
$108.84 billion (September 2024)
Revenue
$35.98 billion (FY23)
Parent Organization
Joint Venture Company of Tata Consumer Products and Starbucks Corporation
If you are wondering how did Starbucks start? Then, the story of Starbucks started when the company was a roaster and retailer of whole bean and ground coffee, tea, and spices with a single store in Seattle’s Pike Place Market. Gordon Bowker, Jerry Baldwin, and Zev Siegl founded Starbucks in 1971.
Zev Siegl stated that at that time he knew the coffee industry inside and out, he was well-versed, especially with the gourmet end of the industry. Besides, he was also known as the most educated coffee guy in the country at that time. So, the three college friends – Zev Siegl, Jerry Baldwin, and Gordon, started with their coffee bean shop and roastery at Seattle’s famous Pike Place Market in 1971. Eventually, they found a mentor in Alfred Peet, who was the founder of Peet’s Coffee and the man responsible for bringing custom coffee roasting to the U.S., and started with the coffee business in full swing. Starbucks initially began by selling coffee beans that were roasted by Peet’s, a gourmet coffee company in Berkeley, California, and later on, started roasting on their own.
Starbucks – History
The first Starbucks store was initiated in 1971 in Washington by 3 individuals who met while they were studying at the University of San Francisco: English educator Hun Baldwin, history educator Zev Siegl, and author Gordon Bowker. The trio was encouraged to sell top-notch espresso beans and hardware after businessman Alfred Peet showed them his style of simmering beans.
During this time, the organization sold simmered, entire espresso beans. During its first year of activity, Starbucks bought green espresso beans from Peet’s and then started purchasing legitimately from producers.
Starbucks – Name and Logo
Starbucks Logo
Bowker reviews that Terry Heckler, with whom Bowker claimed a publicizing office, thought words starting with “st” were ground-breaking. The organizers conceptualized a rundown of words starting with “st” and in the long run arrived at “Strabo,” a mining town in the Cascade Range. The team then finalized “Starbucks,” the name of the young chief mate in the book “Moby-Dick”.
Starbucks has given too many slogans/taglines already among which the most popular one is – “Brewed for those who love coffee”.
Starbucks – Expansion Journey
Number of Starbucks Stores Worldwide (2003-2024)
In 1984, the first proprietors of Starbucks, driven by Jerry Baldwin, acquired Peet’s. During the 1980s, all-out offers of espresso in the US were falling. However, offers of strength espresso expanded, shaping 10% of the market in 1989; it stood at just 3% in terms of market share in 1983. By 1986, the organization worked six stores in Seattle and had just barely started to sell coffee.
In 1987, the first proprietors sold the Starbucks chain to the previous manager Howard Schultz, who rebranded his II Giornale espresso outlets as Starbucks and immediately extended. Starbucks then launched its outlets outside Seattle at Waterfront Station in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Chicago, Illinois. By 1989, 46 stores existed over the Northwest and Midwest, and every year Starbucks was simmering more than 2,000,000 pounds (907,185 kg) of coffee. At the hour of its first sale of stock (IPO) on the financial exchange in June 1992, Starbucks had 140 outlets with an income of $73.5 million, up from $1.3 million in 1987.
The organization’s fairly estimated worth was $271 million at this point. The 12% segment of the organization that was sold raised around $25 million for the organization, which encouraged a multiplying of the number of stores throughout the following two years. By September 1992, Starbucks’ offer cost had ascended by 70% to more than multiple times the income per portion of the past year. In July 2013, over 10% of in-store buys were made on the client’s cell phones utilizing the Starbucks app.
The organization used the versatile social media stage when it propelled the “Tweet-a-Coffee” campaign in October 2013. People had the option to buy a $5 gift voucher for a companion by entering both “@tweetacoffee” and the companion’s handle in a tweet. Research firm Keyhole observed the advancement of the event and a media article from December 2013 detailed that Starbucks had discovered that 27,000 individuals had taken an interest and $180,000 of buys were made to date.
Starbucks Expansion Around The World
As of 2023, Starbucks is positioned 137th on the Fortune 500 rundown of the biggest United States organizations by revenue.
In July 2019, Starbucks announced a “monetary second from last quarter total compensation of $1.37 billion, or $1.12 per share, up from $852.5 million, or 61 pennies for each offer, a year sooner.” The organization’s fairly estimated worth of $110.2 billion expanded by 41% in the middle of 2019. The income per share in quarter three was recorded at 78 pennies, considerably more than the estimate of 72 cents.
In January 2011, Starbucks Corporation and Tata Coffee reported designs to start opening Starbucks outlets in India. Despite a bogus beginning in 2007, in January 2012, Starbucks declared a 50:50 joint endeavor with Tata Global Beverages, called Tata Starbucks Ltd., which would possess and work outlets marked “Starbucks, A Tata Alliance”. Starbucks endeavored to enter the Indian market in 2007. However, it didn’t provide any explanation behind its withdrawal of it.
It was on October 19, 2012, that Starbucks opened its first store, a 4,500 sq ft store in Elphinstone Building, Horniman Circle, Mumbai. Starbucks opened its first cooking and bundling plant in Coorg, Karnataka in 2013 to supply its Indian outlets. The company extended its reach to Delhi on 24 January 2013 by opening 2 outlets. Tata Global Beverages declared in 2013 that they would have 50 areas before the end of the year, with a venture of INR 4 billion. The organization did open its 50th store in India on July 8, 2014.
The third city in India to get a Starbucks outlet was Pune, where the organization opened an outlet at Koregaon Park on 8 September 2013. Starbucks opened a 3,000-square-foot lead store at Koramangala, Bangalore on 22 November 2013, making it the fourth city to have an outlet. Starbucks opened the biggest espresso-forward store in the nation at Vittal Mallya Road, Bangalore on 18 March 2019. The store is estimated at 3,000 sq ft and is Starbucks’ 140th outlet in India.
Tata Starbucks opened 25 stores between 2017 and 2018, which went up to 30 during 2018-19. On 21 February 2019, CEO Navin Gurnaney reported that Tata Starbucks would use only compostable and recyclable bundling materials over the entirety of its stores from June 2020.
Starbucks Corporation In India
Starbucks reported its entrance in Gujarat on 7 August 2019. The organization opened five stores in Surat and Ahmedabad the following day. Starbucks’ leader store in the state is situated at Prahlad Nagar, Ahmedabad, and offers more vegan alternatives than other Indian outlets.
Starbucks currently has over 450 stores across 70 cities in India and is planning to reach 1000 stores by 2028.
Starbucks’ strategies for business in India seemed rock-solid but the brand wasn’t completely immune still. In any case, the world’s biggest bistro chain is building its position cautiously via a progression of well-picked steps. Numerous worldwide brands have entered India since the 1990s, being pulled in by its developing and optimistic customer base. Yet, not all have succeeded. The Starbucks case analysis highlights how strategic partnerships and localized approaches helped the brand succeed in the Indian market.
Starbucks isn’t the primary contestant in India’s composed espresso showcase; so it doesn’t have any first-participant advantage. Cafe Coffee Day (CCD) is the market head while Barista Lavazza was the main espresso chain to open for business. Both are valued by the white-collar class. Costa Coffee, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (CBTL), and Gloria Jean are valued by the rich group in India.
India is customarily a tea-drinking nation, so espresso chains have concentrated on giving a feel where individuals can unwind and invest energy with one another. This setup implies higher capital expenses. It is different from the US, where the vast majority have a liking for espresso. The Indian buyer base has likewise advanced in the recent decade. What can worldwide brands like Starbucks do to augment their odds of achievement in India?
Starbucks – Business Strategy in India
Picking a Local Partner
Worldwide brands face the difficult choice of either going solo or tying up with a nearby accomplice. Starbucks’ choice to team up with India’s TATA Global Beverages demonstrates attention to utilizing different advantages. The TATA Group is one of India’s morally determined brands, an observation passed on about Starbucks India too.
Given that India produces espresso beans in just a couple of spots, the other sourcing alternative was bringing in the beans. Be that as it may, this would have raised costs fundamentally.
Tata’s espresso plant in Karnataka has been contracted to supply beans to Starbucks universally, making common cooperative energies. It has contracted to take into account TATA’s TAJ SATS, which supplies TATA’s top-notch lodging network – TAJ. The TATAs are put into the retail part with store brands like Westside, Tanishq, Croma, Star Bazaar, and so forth. Starbucks can use them for information sharing on Indian land, territory points of interest, and handling land administrations. This would enable its very own development to outline. This strategy gives scope for store-in-store deals.
Consistency in Store Arrangements
This keeps up the one-of-a-kind selling purpose of customer experience and allows to pick up economies of scale on CAPEX. Starbucks plans to have a similar store group crosswise over India. However, the size can change depending on financial matters. This is how it works all around. Starbucks wants to provide an agreeable ‘café’ experience. Having a similar organization gives clients the solace of accepting the equivalent ‘Starbucks’ vibe in any place they go throughout the world.
Keeping the store designs steady means it needs to pick and open new areas stringently, to such an extent that the area can yield a throughput by the venture. Its methodology in-store arrangement is different from CCD, which has picked various configurations to tap the potential interest in any region. CCD has opened a couple of premium outlets dependent on the area’s customer profile. It has additionally gone for non-store organizations like takeaway booths and candy machines. Be that as it may, Starbucks may expect that such non-store configurations may weaken its image esteem.
Estimating the Pace of Expansion
India is the place where an inability to screen primary concerns has tossed numerous organizations out of the rigging. So, a top-line just approach doesn’t work here. Since Starbucks needs to pick new areas stringently by its equivalent configuration approach, it has decided on a deliberate pace of extension. It is concentrating on the budgetary feasibility of every outlet, as opposed to going for an aggressive development plan which may have brought about rehashed calls for capital.
This operational process is different from its system in the USA and China where it has fabricated scale by opening stores in pretty much every area – being the main port-of-call for espresso by basically being all over the place. CCD’s methodology behind adaptable store organizations was to guarantee there is a CCD bistro at a simple reach. It is intriguing to check its normal store gainfulness given its scale.
Guaranteeing Top-Authority Backing and Responsibility
Top initiative responsibility from the two sides of the organization, Tata and Starbucks, has been plentifully clear. Starbucks took as much time as was needed to enter the market (6 years), recognizing that India was a mind-boggling market and required cautious passage arranging. The two sides have spoken finally about their dedication and shared their plans to give their business a new direction toward growth.
Altering Contributions to Suit Indian Market and Client Needs
Being adjusted to Indian culture, tastes, and inclinations conveyed at a suitable “esteem” guarantees customer importance, construct, and continued utilization. Starbucks mirrors this comprehension – as observed through a blend of Western staples, a wide scope of intriguing Indian tidbits similar to confined refreshments on the idea. Since its experience ( and item as well, however to a lesser degree) is its image guarantee, its test lies in conveying an all-around steady, yet locally significant brand experience.
The stores, or the “third spot” as Starbucks calls them, have been altered likewise. The stores don’t pursue the worldwide layout and appear to have been planned with consideration, with neighborhood contacts consolidated. Stores in various urban communities have been structured unexpectedly, mirroring the neighborhood culture – e.g., New Delhi’s store has ropes and chat on the dividers and henna designs on the floor, though the Pune store has a rich showcase of collectibles and copper.
There appears to be sufficient utilization of shading – something missing in the US. The stores have been intended to convey a particular, premium café experience, predictable, and in a state of harmony with the one conveyed over the rest of the world.
Starbucks appears to have made a confined plan of action, planned for conveying a universally reliable item and involvement with locally-focused costs. The Tata group conveys a major sourcing advantage (attributable to its quality over the generation chain, developing, broiling, and exchanging espresso), yet it has just gone past that to develop and support associations with nearby espresso cultivators – putting resources into structure economical cultivating rehearses. All of Starbucks’ espresso is sourced locally, a first-ever for the organization.
Scaling up using Arrangements and Organizations
The Tata organization is the genuine overthrow in the Starbucks passage story. Having Tata as an accomplice is gigantically profitable, not due to the validity and strength it offers, or because it coordinates the scale and stature of Starbucks as an organization.
It offers numerous advantages catalyzing pretty much every market section achievement variable – for example, The Tata group has involvement in the retail business, a solid reputation in advancing new pursuits, gives a sourcing advantage through Tata espresso, offers access to high-traffic areas using its lodgings and other retail outlets, guarantees excellent nourishment and refreshment supply through its F&B business and so forth.
Furthermore, the potential for an effective organization is amazingly high given Starbucks’ and Tata’s mutual qualities – the two of them have a solid social inner voice and are resolved to “give back” to the general public and network.
Influencing India for Worldwide Items
Not long after it finished its first year, Starbucks reported that it was serving top-quality Indian Arabica espresso as “Indian coffee” in different markets. Another world-class office for cooking and bundling has just been initiated in Coorg, Karnataka; the results of which are to be analyzed in India and abroad.
Overseeing Discernment and Guidelines
This viewpoint is tied in with structure, a solid positive observation, and a picture for the business and brand crosswise over key outer partners and crowds – incorporating the administration, corporate accomplices, networks inside the eco-framework, and customers on the loose. Given what Starbucks has figured out how to accomplish in a year and a half since dispatch, it appears to be genuinely evident that its thought combined with the Tata advantage (critical reach and impact) has helped in developing solid connections and a positive picture with key outside partners and voting demographics.
Engage Nearby Association
Starbucks is by all accounts constructing a nation-explicit activity with nearby individuals in charge and overall unmistakable customer interface focuses, giving them the necessary position to coordinate and work. There is overwhelming interest in enlisting the perfect individuals and giving the essential preparation – to install and instill the organization’s culture and administration models.
Along these lines, how has Starbucks fared against the McKinsey spread out variables for long-haul India achievement? Its accomplishments against the scorecard look noteworthy. With thorough vigorous passage arranging and brilliant and quick execution, the multi-month-old endeavor appears to have impressive force, making purchaser and network-driven ventures and focused on sustaining its center business and brand. It appears to be very much set to “win” in India.
Whether Starbucks will collect a huge piece of the overall industry and accomplish its objective of India being among its best 5 markets over the long haul is not yet clear. It’s still early days, yet for the organization, this appears to be an incredible beginning and a great globalization model for multinationals looking for an India section.
Starbucks – Products
Aside from the typical items offered globally, Starbucks in India has some Indian-style item contributions, for example, Tandoori Paneer Roll, Chocolate Rossomalai Mousse, Malai Chom Tiramisu, Elaichi Mewa Croissant, Chicken Kathi Roll, and Murg Tikka Panini to suit Indian customers. All coffees sold in Indian outlets are produced using Indian broiled espressos by Tata Coffee. Starbucks additionally sells Himalayan packaged mineral water. Free Wi-Fi is accessible at all Starbucks stores.
Starbucks Espresso Cappuccino
In January 2017, Tata Starbucks presented Starbucks’ tea image “Teavana”. Teavana offers 18 unique assortments of tea in India. One of the assortments called the India Spice Majesty Blend was explicitly created for the Indian market and is only accessible in India. India Spice Majesty Blend is a mix of full-leaf Assam dark tea injected with entire cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, pepper, star anise, and ginger. On 15 June 2015, Tata Starbucks reported that it was suspending the utilization of fixings that had not been affirmed by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
The organization didn’t indicate what the fixings were or which items they were utilized in. The organization additionally expressed that it was applying for FSSAI endorsement for these ingredients.
Starbucks Corporation Other Products
As per the Latte Index positioning of the expense of a tall hot latte at Starbucks in 44 nations, India was the fifth most costly nation to buy the drink depending on January 2016 costs. The record distributed by US-based buyer research firm ValuePenguin found that a tall hot latte cost $7.99 in India, far higher than the $2.75 it costs in the least expensive nation, the United States, yet much lower than the $12.32 in the most costly nation, Russia.
Tata Starbucks propelled the Starbucks Delivers program in mid-2019. The administration offers home conveyance from Starbucks outlets through an organization with Swiggy. The administration was first propelled in Mumbai, with designs to turn it out to other cities.
In its menu, the Tata Starbucks company has launched ice-creams as their new products. The frozen delights are available even in flavours like java chip and caramel macchiato among others and will come in takeaway tubs and single scoops. The ice-creams are now available in 50-60% of the Starbucks stores.
Starbucks – Business Growth
Net Revenue of Starbucks Worldwide From 2013 to 2024
Tata Starbucks, a joint venture between Tata Consumer Products Limited (TCPL) and the American coffee chain Starbucks, reported a loss of INR 81 crore in the 2024 fiscal year, according to TCPL’s annual report. This is a bigger loss compared to the INR 23.9 crore loss in the previous year, FY23. Despite this, the company’s revenue from operations grew by 12% in FY24.
In FY24, Tata Consumer Products invested INR 25 crore into the coffee chain, which also opened the most new stores in India since starting the joint venture in 2012. However, the coffee chain faced challenges in profitability due to weak demand for quick service restaurants (QSRs) in general. Tata Starbucks, which is hoping to make back the initial investment in the current money, has opened 380 stores to date.
Tata Starbucks, a 50:50 joint endeavor between Tata Global Beverages and Starbucks Coffee of the US, has announced a 30% top-line development in financial 2018-19, driven by new store openings and improved execution. Tata Starbucks announced “twofold digit top-line development – 30% for the entire year, driven by new stores and improved store execution,” Tata Global Beverages Ltd (TGBL) said in a financial specialists’ introduction. Tata Starbucks’s income for 2018-19 is required to be approximately INR 450 crores.
TGBL said Tata Starbucks opened 30 outlets in the past financial year, out of which 15 new stores were opened during the last quarter of the money-related year. The organization claimed detailed benefits at the store level; all urban areas were likewise productive and additionally saw an ascend in nourishment share in general deals.
The Starbucks company added around 40 stores in FY21 but the company had recorded a 33% Y-O-Y fall in its revenues during the same fiscal. According to Sushant Dash, CEO of Tata Starbucks, the recovery that the company has seen after the second wave of COVID-19 was better than what it saw after the first wave of the deadly pandemic. The quarterly growth after Q2 FY22 was 120% more than what it saw during the same period in the previous fiscal. The company has hugely focused on home deliveries ever since the pandemic broke out. It has already addressed concerns associated with the spillage and other challenges about home delivery, which contributed to over 18% of the total sales that the company witnessed this fiscal, as per the reports in November 2021. Furthermore, the company has also added ice-creams to its menu in flavors like java chip and caramel macchiato. The Sanjeev Kapoor menu is another thing that has been freshly launched by Tata Starbucks. Besides, the company also launched a one-litre freshly brewed beverage and at-home coffee.
As per reports on 26 May 2025, Starbucks is starting self-service kiosks in Korea and Japan for the first time, allowing customers to place orders without talking to staff. Starbucks Korea said it will set up kiosks in about 10 stores this week. These stores are in busy areas like Seoul and Jeju Island, especially where many tourists visit.
The first kiosks will be placed in two stores in Seoul’s Myeong-dong area, which is popular with foreign visitors. People will be able to use the kiosks from early next month.
A Starbucks Korea spokesperson said the kiosks were made to help tourists who have trouble communicating due to language barriers. The goal is to make ordering easier and attract more visitors in tourist areas.
Tata Starbucks plans to operate 1000 stores in India by 2028. To reach its goal of having 1,000 stores by 2028, Tata Starbucks plans to double its workforce to around 8,600 employees. The company aims to expand into Tier 2 and 3 cities in India, increase the number of drive-thru locations, open more stores in airports, and add more 24-hour stores to better serve customers wherever they are.
Tata Starbucks Pvt. Ltd. is looking to forcefully grow its impression in the Indian market with its eyes on the quickly spreading “espresso culture” among the twenty to thirty-year-olds and upwardly versatile customers. Tata Starbucks, a JV between US-based Starbucks Coffee Company and Tata Global Beverages Ltd, hopes to set up altogether more number stores this monetary than it did previously.
With per-store venture prerequisites being evaluated at INR 1.7-2 crores, the complete CAPEX plan by the organization works out in an overabundance of INR 50 crores during current monetary on the off chance that it opens more stores than a year ago.
The organization is likewise open to different open doors for development including inorganic development through acquisitions. Be that as it may, when tested about any probability of a venture plan in the espresso chain Cafe Coffe Day (CCD), Gurnaney denied estimating any discussions for securing.
With an end goal to upgrade the client experience, Starbucks is presenting new nourishment things, taking into account all client needs including breakfast and lunch. The income share from nourishment things is right now around 25%, even as it keeps on developing with new things to meet the client’s needs.
FAQs
Who founded Starbucks?
Starbucks was started by Hun Baldwin, Zev Siegl, and Gordon Bowker in 1971.
Where was the first Starbucks started?
Starbucks was started in Pike Place Market, Seattle, Washington, United States.
When was Starbucks started in India?
Starbucks was launched in India in 2012.
What is the revenue of Starbucks?
Starbucks revenue was recorded at $35.98 billion in 2023.
How many Starbucks stores are there worldwide?
There are over 38000 Starbucks stores in the world as of 2023.
When Brian Niccol took the helm as CEO of Starbucks in 2023, he brought a reputation for transformative leadership and a keen understanding of consumer behavior. Known for his successful turnaround of Chipotle Mexican Grill, Niccol’s appointment signaled a new era for the global coffee giant, one focused on innovation, digital growth, and an elevated customer experience.
Under his leadership, Starbucks has continued to evolve, blending its rich heritage with modern strategies to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive market. But who is Brian Niccol, and how is he shaping the future of Starbucks? Let’s explore his leadership style, strategic initiatives, and the impact he’s making on one of the world’s most beloved brands.
Brian Niccol – Biography
Name
Brian Niccol
Born
16 August, 1974
Nationality
American
Education
MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Brian Niccol’s journey to becoming one of the most influential business leaders started with a solid educational background. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in engineering from Miami University before pursuing an MBA at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. His analytical mindset and strategic thinking became evident early in his career.
Niccol initially worked at Procter & Gamble, where he gained valuable experience in brand management and marketing. He later joined Yum! Brands, where he played a crucial role in transforming Taco Bell into a modern, youth-focused brand. His leadership led to the success of the Doritos Locos Tacos campaign, which significantly boosted sales.
In 2018, Niccol took the helm at Chipotle Mexican Grill, where he spearheaded a digital transformation that helped the brand recover from food safety concerns and expand its digital ordering systems. His ability to revive and scale a brand made him a highly sought-after executive, leading to his appointment as the CEO of Starbucks in 2024.
Brian Niccol – Career Development – From Taco Bell to Starbucks
Niccol’s career trajectory is nothing short of remarkable. Before taking the reins at Starbucks, he made a vital impact in the fast-food industry. He started his career at Procter & Gamble, where he honed his marketing skills before moving to Yum! Brands, the parent company of Taco Bell, KFC, and Pizza Hut.
Transforming Taco Bell
As the CEO of Taco Bell from 2015 to 2018, Niccol played a pivotal role in repositioning the brand as a cultural and digital innovator. He introduced new product lines, enhanced digital engagement, and leveraged social media to create a unique brand personality. Under his leadership, Taco Bell expanded its reach globally, saw an increase in same-store sales, and developed a highly successful mobile ordering platform.
Taking the Helm at Starbucks
In 2024, Niccol took over as the CEO of Starbucks, succeeding Laxman Narasimhan. His appointment signaled a renewed focus on digital transformation, sustainability, and operational efficiency. Given his past success in revitalizing brands, Starbucks stakeholders had high expectations for his leadership.
Niccol’s Leadership at Starbucks – A New Era
Brian Niccol’s leadership at Starbucks is characterized by innovation, customer-centric strategies, and a commitment to sustainability. Let’s explore some key initiatives he has introduced since taking charge.
Digital Transformation and Mobile Experience
Understanding the importance of technology in modern retail, Niccol has prioritized Starbucks’ digital expansion. He has enhanced the Starbucks Rewards program, expanded mobile ordering capabilities, and introduced AI-driven personalization for customers. His goal is to make Starbucks a simple, tech-integrated experience for coffee lovers worldwide.
Sustainability and Ethical Sourcing
Starbucks has long been a champion of sustainability, and Niccol has doubled down on these efforts. Under his leadership, the company has committed to reducing carbon emissions, minimizing waste, and ensuring ethically sourced coffee. Initiatives such as reusable cup incentives, eco-friendly packaging, and support for coffee farmers have been at the forefront of Starbucks’ sustainability mission.
Expanding Starbucks’ Global Reach
Niccol has focused on expanding Starbucks’ presence in international markets, particularly in Asia and the Middle East. By tailoring offerings to regional tastes and preferences, Starbucks has gained a stronger foothold in these competitive markets. The brand’s expansion strategy includes introducing new store formats, such as smaller pickup-only locations in urban areas.
Reinventing In-Store Experience
To enhance the customer experience, Niccol has implemented changes in store design, ambiance, and service efficiency. New store concepts emphasize a mix of comfort, convenience, and sustainability, appealing to a broad spectrum of customers. The introduction of AI-driven order customization and premium Reserve stores has further differentiated Starbucks in the competitive coffee landscape.
Under Niccol’s leadership, Starbucks has witnessed significant financial growth. The company’s stock value has seen an upward trajectory, reflecting strong investor confidence. The brand’s revenue has surged due to increased digital sales, innovative product launches, and global expansion.
For instance, in Q3 2024, Starbucks reported a revenue increase of 9% year-over-year, attributed to mobile ordering, new product innovations, and international market growth. Niccol’s strategic focus on digital channels has resulted in a 15% increase in mobile orders, contributing substantially to overall sales.
Despite Starbucks’ success, Niccol faces several challenges, including:
Rising competition from independent coffee brands and specialty cafes.
Supply chain disruptions are affecting coffee sourcing and pricing.
Labor concerns and the push for unionization among Starbucks employees.
However, Niccol’s ability to navigate challenges with agility and innovation provides confidence in Starbucks’ future growth. His focus on customer engagement, sustainability, and digital transformation positions the company for long-term success.
Recent Developments Under Niccol’s Leadership
In 2025, Brian Niccol initiated several strategic changes to revitalize Starbucks and address recent challenges:
Menu Simplification
Niccol is making bold moves to streamline Starbucks’ menu, cutting it down by 30% to enhance operational efficiency. This initiative is designed to reduce wait times, ensuring that customers receive their favorite drinks faster—ideally within four minutes or less. Starbucks aims to provide a more consistent and high-quality experience across all its stores by focusing on the best-selling and most beloved items.
Mobile Ordering Enhancements
Recognizing the increasing demand for digital convenience, Niccol has rolled out a new mobile ordering system that allows customers to schedule their pickups in advance. This not only reduces congestion inside stores but also improves customer satisfaction by minimizing wait times. The enhanced system features AI-driven recommendations and loyalty integration to encourage repeat visits.
Corporate Restructuring
As part of a broader initiative to simplify Starbucks’ corporate structure, Niccol has led the charge in improving company operations. In February 2025, Starbucks announced a strategic downsizing, eliminating 1,100 corporate roles. This decision aims to cut bureaucracy, improve agility, and ensure that resources are more effectively allocated to enhance customer experience and business growth.
Reinvigorating Cafe Culture
A strong push under Niccol’s leadership has been to restore the community feel of Starbucks cafes. The “Back to Starbucks” initiative encourages customers to linger in stores by reintroducing cozy seating arrangements, offering free refills on select beverages for customers using personal cups, and even experimenting with live music events in key locations. These efforts aim to bring back the classic Starbucks experience, where people can work, socialize, and relax in a welcoming environment.
Addressing Competition
With rising competition from rivals like McDonald’s and emerging chains such as Luckin Coffee, Niccol is sharpening Starbucks’ competitive edge. He has introduced more localized menu offerings, expanded premium Starbucks Reserve locations, and emphasized sustainability initiatives to differentiate the brand. By leveraging customer insights and market trends, Starbucks remains at the forefront of the global coffee industry.
Brian Niccol’s impressive experience in the food and beverage industry has significantly impacted his wealth. As of 2025, his estimated net worth has grown substantially, thanks to his strategic decision-making at Starbucks and past tenure at Taco Bell.
Under his leadership, Starbucks’ stock has performed exceptionally well, increasing shareholder value and boosting executive compensation. Niccol holds a considerable number of Starbucks shares, and as the stock continues to rise, so does his net worth. In 2024 alone, his total compensation package, including salary, stock options, and bonuses, was reported to be over $25 million, reflecting his pivotal role in driving the company’s success.
Niccol’s growing wealth is also helping for his strategic investments. He has diversified his portfolio like many top executives, investing in technology, sustainability-driven startups, and real estate. His forward-thinking approach to business continues to solidify his financial standing in the global corporate landscape.
Brian Niccol – Facts as of 2025
Niccol faced criticism for commuting approximately 1,000 miles from his residence in Newport Beach, California, to Starbucks’ headquarters in Seattle using a company-owned jet.
Under Niccol’s leadership, Starbucks reintroduced handwritten names on cups to personalize the customer experience.
Niccol implemented a streamlined menu and aimed for a four-minute drink delivery time to enhance efficiency.
Under his leadership, Starbucks doubled down on mobile ordering, cutting wait times and improving convenience.
Niccol received a $96 million pay package within four months of joining Starbucks, making him one of the highest-paid executives in corporate America.
Niccol got his start in executive leadership as a marketer with Procter & Gamble, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut.
What is Brian Niccol educational background?
Brian Niccol earned a Bachelor’s degree in engineering from Miami University before pursuing an MBA at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
“As a business that is anchored in human connection, the opportunities that we have are limitless. But in order for us to get limitless, we need to confront what limits us.” -Laxman Narasimhan, Starbucks CEO
Laxman Narasimhan, an Indian-American business leader, currently leads Starbucks as its Chief Executive Officer. His broad background and extensive experience bring a unique mix of cultural understanding, smart decision-making, and a commitment to excellence to the global coffee company. With Narasimhan leading the way, Starbucks is not just a business, rather it’s a force for good, making positive changes and creating value for everyone involved. As he continues to innovate and push boundaries, Narasimhan’s legacy as a leader who transforms and drives change will leave a lasting impact on Starbucks and the corporate world for years to come.
Want To Scale Up Coffee Sourcing From India: Starbucks CEO Laxman Narasimhan
Laxman Narasimhan – Biography
Name
Laxman Narasimhan
Born
May 15, 1967
Education
MBA Finance, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
Laxman Narasimhan, born on May 15, 1967, originally hails from India. His journey towards success began with a strong educational background. Having lived in various parts of the world, including the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, Narasimhan has gained extensive international experience. He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the College of Engineering, University of Pune, India, along with an MA in German and International Studies from The Lauder Institute at The University of Pennsylvania, and an MBA in Finance from The Wharton School of The University of Pennsylvania. Fluent in six languages, Narasimhan is a family man, married with two children. His go-to Starbucks drink is a doppio espresso macchiato, with hot skim milk on the side.
Laxman Narasimhan – Early Life
In his early career, he navigated through the complexities of the consumer goods industry, sharpening his expertise in marketing, brand management, and business growth during notable roles at PepsiCo and McKinsey & Company. These foundational years showcased Narasimhan’s natural talent for driving expansion and generating value, setting the stage for his rise to top corporate positions. As CEO of Reckitt Benckiser Group, a global leader in health, hygiene, and nutrition, Narasimhan displayed visionary leadership by leading transformative projects and strategic acquisitions that propelled the company to new levels of success. His time at Reckitt Benckiser was characterized by a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and meeting the changing needs of consumers. Before joining Starbucks, Narasimhan served as the Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of PepsiCo and CEO of Reckitt. He took on the role of interim CEO at Starbucks in October 2022, before officially becoming CEO in April 2023, succeeding Howard Schultz. Narasimhan spent 19 years at McKinsey until 2012 when he advanced to the position of director and location manager of their New Delhi office. He then joined PepsiCo in 2012, ultimately rising to the role of Chief Commercial Officer.
Laxman Narasimhan – Career
As the leader of Starbucks, Narasimhan faces the significant challenge of guiding the renowned coffee chain through a constantly changing environment marked by evolving consumer tastes, technological advancements, and global events’ effects. However, with his unmatched expertise and unwavering resolve, Narasimhan is ready to steer Starbucks toward a new phase of growth and innovation, reinforcing its status as a beloved brand known for quality, community, and social responsibility. Under his guidance, Starbucks is not just about selling coffee but also about driving positive change, using its influence to make a meaningful impact worldwide. From promoting sustainability to fostering diversity and inclusion within the company, Narasimhan remains committed to creating a better future for Starbucks and the communities it serves. His forward-thinking leadership and dedication to empowering others inspire trust and purpose among Starbucks employees, partners, and customers.
Before assuming the role of CEO, Narasimhan underwent six months of barista training at various Starbucks locations worldwide, including London, Amsterdam, Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai, and Mexico City, to identify necessary changes. The New York Times has noted Narasimhan’s comparatively more open stance towards Starbucks unionization than Schultz.
Drawing on his extensive experience with companies like PepsiCo and Reckitt, Narasimhan has successfully motivated talent to pursue future goals by prioritizing consumer-focused and digital innovations. During his time at Reckitt, he revitalized the company’s culture to better fulfill its mission of promoting a cleaner, healthier world. He also led efforts to improve health and hygiene practices globally while enhancing operational sustainability.
At PepsiCo, Narasimhan held various leadership positions, including Global Chief Commercial Officer, overseeing long-term growth strategies and commercial capabilities. He also served as CEO of PepsiCo’s Latin America, Europe, and Sub-Saharan Africa divisions, managing food and beverage operations across broad regions. Additionally, he held roles such as CEO of PepsiCo Latin America and CFO of PepsiCo Americas Foods.
Before joining PepsiCo, Narasimhan spent nearly two decades at McKinsey & Company, advising retail, healthcare, and consumer goods companies worldwide, and leading the firm’s research on the future of retail.
He is actively involved in several organizations, serving as a trustee of the Brookings Institution, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, a former member of the UK Prime Minister’s Build Back Better Council, and a board member at Verizon.
Narasimhan introduced Starbucks’ “Triple Shot Reinvention Strategy,” revealing intentions to grow to 35,000 locations outside North America by 2030, with a goal of reaching 55,000 locations. The plan also includes a $3 billion cost-saving initiative and raises for baristas, aiming to double their hourly earnings by the end of fiscal 2025. This increase will come from both extended work hours and higher pay rates, compared to their earnings in fiscal 2020.
Number of Starbucks Stores Worldwide From 2013 to 2023
Laxman Narasimhan – Investments
On July 15, 2022, Laxman Narasimhan invested in Zamp. This investment, part of the Venture Round for Zamp, had a valuation of $25 million.
Announced Date
Organization
Funding Round
July 15, 2022
Zamp
Venture Round
Laxman Narasimhan – Controversies
During Narasimhan’s time at Reckitt Benckiser, there was a troubling incident involving the company’s local branch, Oxy Reckitt Benckiser. Following the tragic deaths of several pregnant women due to lung issues, an investigation revealed that a harmful antibacterial substance in a humidifier cleanser was responsible. Narasimhan responded by meeting with a British survivor committee and personally apologizing to the South Korean independent commission investigating the case.
Additionally, Narasimhan faced criticism for his sudden resignation from Reckitt Benckiser in 2022, which caught investors off guard. His departure occurred during the implementation of a turnaround plan he had initiated in 2019.
FAQs
Who is Laxman Narasimhan?
Laxman Narasimhan is an Indian-American business executive and the chief executive officer of Starbucks.
What is the net worth of Laxman Narasimhan?
The net worth of Laxman Narasimhan, CEO of Starbucks in 2023 was $23 million.
Is TATA the owner of Starbucks?
TATA Starbucks Private Limited, previously recognized as Tata Starbucks Limited, is a collaborative enterprise equally owned by Tata Global Beverages and Starbucks Corporation. This entity manages and runs Starbucks stores across India.
According to recent studies, Indian-origin CEOs are currently leading some of the world’s most successful companies in a variety of sectors.
From technology to healthcare, these leaders have achieved remarkable success and are now considered among the most influential CEOs in the world.
There is a whole range of companies, starting from IBM, Cognizant, and Adobe to tech giants like Google and Microsoft, mobile mammoths like Nokia, and content kings like OnlyFans, where the CEOs are of Indian origin and are upping the game, no doubt.
So, without further ado, let’s take a closer look at the top Indian CEOs ruling the world in 2023.
Indian Origin CEO- Sundar Pichai (Google and Alphabet)
Pichai Sundararajan, also known as Sundar Pichai, was born in Tamil Nadu, India. He earned a degree from IIT Kharagpur in metallurgical engineering and is a distinguished alumnus of that institution.
He holds an M.S. from Stanford University and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania where he was named a Siebel Scholar and a Palmer Scholar.
Pichai began his career as a materials engineer and joined Google as a management executive in 2004 and became the CEO of Google in the year 2015. Pichai was also named as the CEO of Google parent, Alphabet in December 2019, when he replaced Larry Page.
Satya Nadella
Company
Microsoft
Headquarters
One Microsoft Way Redmond, Washington, United States
Revenue
$198.27 billion (2022)
Term of Office
2014-Present
Indian Origin CEO – Satya Nadella (Microsoft)
Hyderabad-born Satya Nadella has a BE from the Manipal Institute of Technology, an MS from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Before joining Microsoft in 1992, he worked at Sun Microsystems as a member of its technology staff.
He became the CEO of Microsoft in 2014 succeeding Steve Ballmer. He also succeeded John W. Thompson and was named Chairman of Microsoft in 2021.
Vivek Sankaran
Company
Albertsons Cos Inc
Headquarters
Boise, Idaho, United States
Revenue
$76.768 billion (2022)
Term of Office
2019-Present
Indian Origin CEO- Vivek Sankaran (Albertsons Companies)
Vivek Sankaran is a well-known business executive in the United States. He is currently the President and CEO of Albertsons Companies, one of the largest food and drug retailers in the U.S., with more than 2,200 stores across 33 states.
Before joining Albertsons in 2019, Sankaran was the CEO of PepsiCo Foods North America, where he led the company’s Frito-Lay and Quaker Foods businesses in the U.S. and Canada. He has also held senior leadership roles at other major companies, including Procter & Gamble and McKinsey & Company.
Under his leadership, Albertsons has continued to expand its digital capabilities, introduce new products and services, and improve its supply chain and logistics operations.
Arvind Krishna
Company
IBM
Headquarters
Armonk, New York, United States
Revenue
$60.53 billion (2022)
Term of Office
2020-Present
Indian Origin CEO- Arvind Krishna (IBM)
The Indian CEO of IBM, who became the Chairman on January 1, 2021, Arvind Krishna was born in Dehradun, India.
He completed his schooling at St Joseph’s Academy, Dehradun, and the Stanes School, Coonoor, Tamil Nadu. He then received a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kanpur in 1985 and eventually got a PhD in Electrical Engineering.
Krishna began his career at IBM as an engineer in IBM Research and was promoted to CEO in 2020. He is currently serving IBM as its CEO and Chairman.
Vasant Narasimhan
Company
Novartis AG
Headquarters
Basel, Switzerland
Revenue
$50.5 billion (2022)
Term of Office
2018-Present
Indian Origin CEO – Vasant Narasimhan (Novartis AG)
Narasimhan was born in the United States in 1976 but spent much of his childhood in India. He attended the Syosset High School in New York before earning a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from the University of Chicago.
He went on to complete his MD from Harvard Medical School, as well as a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
After completing his education, Narasimhan worked as a consultant at McKinsey & Company before joining Novartis in 2005. In 2014, he was appointed as the Global Head of Drug Development and Chief Medical Officer for Novartis.
In 2018, Narasimhan was named CEO of Novartis, succeeding Joseph Jimenez.
Sanjay Mehrotra
Company
Micron Technology
Headquarters
Boise, Idaho, United States
Revenue
$27.15 billion (2022)
Term of Office
2017-Present
Indian Origin CEO – Sanjay Mehrotra (Micron Technology)
Kanpur-born Sanjay Mehrotra started his college at BITS Pilani and then transferred to the University of California, Berkeley from where he obtained a Bachelor’s and a Master’s in Electrical Engineering and in Computer Science.
He is the current CEO of Micron Technology, who assumed office when Mark Durcan retired in February 2017.
Previously, he co-founded SanDisk, where he served as the president and CEO until its acquisition by Western Digital in 2016.
Laxman Narasimhan
Company
Starbucks
Headquarters
Seattle, Washington, United States
Revenue
$30.4 billion (2022)
Term of Office
2022-Present
Indian Origin CEO – Laxman Narasimhan (Starbucks)
Laxman holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the College of Engineering, University of Pune, an MA degree in German and International Studies from The Lauder Institute, and an MBA in Finance from The Wharton School of The University of Pennsylvania.
He joined Starbucks under the title “interim CEO” in October 2022, and following the transition will succeed interim CEO Howard Schultz. Narasimhan officially assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer of Starbucks in March 2023.
Revathi Advaithi
Company
Flex (formerly Flextronics)
Headquarters
Singapore
Revenue
$29.72 billion (2022)
Term of Office
2019-Present
Indian Origin CEO – Revathi Advaithi (Flex)
The CEO of Flex and an advocate of women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), Revathi Advaithi is an Indian-American business executive, who was born in India.
Advaithi started her career as a shop floor supervisor in Eaton. In 2002, she joined Honeywell and returned to Eaton again, where she worked for 10 long years after becoming the COO. She eventually left Eaton and joined Flex as the company’s CEO in 2019. Revathi is an alumnus of Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BS) and Thunderbird School of Global Management (MBA).
She is an independent director for the board of directors of Uber and Catalyst.org along with her present role. Besides, she also is a member of the MIT Presidential CEO Advisory Board. Revathi was also featured in Fortune’s list of the Most Powerful Women in 2019 and 2020.
Neal Mohan is an accomplished Indian-American executive with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Stanford University and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
He began his career at Accenture, where he worked for approximately 1.5 years, before moving on to Microsoft as a manager in the company’s corporate strategy department.
In 2008, Mohan joined Google after the tech giant’s acquisition of DoubleClick. Over the years, he rose through the ranks and became YouTube’s chief product officer in 2015, overseeing the platform’s product and user experience.
Mohan’s impressive educational background and extensive tech industry experience played a significant role in his success. Notably, Neal Mohan, the Indian American business executive, became the CEO of YouTube in February 2023.
Shantanu Narayen
Company
Adobe Inc
Headquarters
San Jose, California, United States
Revenue
$17.6 billion (2022)
Term of Office
2007-Present
Indian Origin CEO – Shantanu Narayen (Adobe)
Born in Hyderabad, India, Shantanu Narayan started his career at Apple. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Osmania University, an MBA from the University of California, Berkley, and an MS from Bowling Green State University.
Narayen joined Adobe in 1998 and got promoted to CEO in December 2007, at the age of 45.
Narayen also represented India in sailing at an Asian Regatta and got his name among the world’s best CEOs by Barron’s Magazine in the year 2016.
Niraj Shah
Company
Wayfair
Headquarters
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Revenue
$12.369 billion (2022)
Term of Office
2002-Present
Indian Origin CEO – Niraj Shah (Wayfair)
Shah earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Cornell University and a master’s degree in engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
After completing his education, Shah started his career as a consultant at the global management consulting firm McKinsey & Company, where he worked for several years.
In 2002, he co-founded the online furniture retailer CSN Stores (which later became Wayfair) with his friend and business partner, Steve Conine.
George Kurian
Company
NetApp
Headquarters
San Jose, California, United States
Revenue
$6.549 billion
Term of Office
2015-Present
Indian Origin CEO – George Kurian (NetApp)
After serving as the executive vice president of product operations for two years at NetApp, George Kurian became the CEO and President of the company in June 2015.
Born in Kottayam district, Kerala, he pursued engineering at IIT-Madras, but left six months later to join Princeton University; he also holds an MBA degree from Stanford.
Leena Nair
Company
Chanel
Headquarters
London, United Kingdom
Revenue
$15.6 billion
Term of Office
2022-Present
Indian Origin CEO – Leena Nair (Chanel)
Born on June 11, 1969, in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, Leena Nair was an Electronics Engineering student at Walchand College of Engineering. After completing her graduation, Leena went to XLRI Jamshedpur from where she came out as a gold medallist.
Nair joined Anglo-Dutch company Unilever and was notably appointed as the Chief Human Resource Officer of the firm in 2016. She was recognized as the youngest, first female, and the first Asian ever to achieve the feat. Leena served many leadership positions in the same company before being appointed as the CHRO. Leena Nair was once again announced as the CEO of the French fashion brand, Chanel.
Ravi Kumar S
Company
Cognizant
Headquarters
Teaneck, New Jersey, United States
Revenue
$19.428 billion
Term of Office
2023-Present
Indian Origin CEO – Ravi Kumar S (Cognizant)
Ravi Kumar S. took on the role of CEO at Cognizant in January 2023. His tenure as CEO followed a distinguished career where he served as the President of Infosys from January 2016 to October 2022, contributing to his deep understanding of the IT industry.
Kumar’s educational background is equally impressive, with an engineering degree from Shivaji University in Maharashtra and an MBA from Xavier Institute of Management in Orissa. His journey in the technology sector underscores the increasing presence of Indian-origin CEOs in global tech companies.
Nikesh Arora
Company
Palo Alto Networks
Headquarters
Santa Clara, California, United States
Revenue
$5.818 billion
Term of Office
2018-Present
Indian Origin CEO – Nikesh Arora (Palo Alto Networks)
Nikesh Arora took the role of CEO and Chairman at Palo Alto Networks in June 2018. Prior to this, he worked with Google and SoftBank.
Born to an Indian Air Force Officer, Arora holds a Btech degree in Electrical Engineering from IIT BHU, Varanasi.
Furthermore, Arora also holds a degree from Boston College and an MBA from Northeastern University. Nikesh Arora has retained the CFA that he earned in 1999.
Anjali Sud
Company
Tubi
Headquarters
San Francisco, United States
Revenue
NA
Term of Office
2023-Present
Indian Origin CEO – Anjali Sud (Tubi)
Born in the USA, Detroit, Anjali Sud is an American businesswoman of Indian origin and is popularly known for being the CEO of Vimeo. Sud opted to study at the private school, Phillips Andover Academy at the age of 14.
She eventually received a B.Sc. degree in Finance and Management from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and later topped it off with an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Sud was appointed as a Vimeo CEO in July 2017. She previously served as a General Manager and the Head of Marketing of the company. Sud is also counted as a Board member of Dolby Laboratories. Furthermore, Sud is a Young Global Leader of the World Economic Forum. She was also listed by Fortune in 2018 under its 40 Under 40 rising business leaders.
Anjali Sud stepped down from her position as Vimeo CEO andjoined Tubi in September 2023, taking on the role of CEO at Fox Corp.’s free streaming service.
Devika Bulchandani was born and raised in India, and she completed her schooling there. She then moved to the United States to pursue higher education, and she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Bulchandani began her career in the advertising industry in 1995, working at several leading agencies such as Ammirati Puris Lintas, J. Walter Thompson, and McCann Erickson. She joined Ogilvy in 1999 as an Account Director and worked her way up the ranks, eventually becoming the Chief Operating Officer of Ogilvy New York in 2017.
In March 2021, Bulchandani was appointed as the CEO of Ogilvy North America, making her the first woman of color to lead the agency.
Jayshree Ullal
Company
Arista Networks
Headquarters
Santa Clara, California, United States
Revenue
$4.381 billion (2022)
Term of Office
2008-Present
Indian Origin CEO – Jayshree Ullal (Arista Networks)
Jayashree Ullal, the President, and CEO of Arista Networks was raised in New Delhi and attended San Francisco State University from where she graduated with a B.S. in Engineering.
She then went on to obtain a Master’s degree in Engineering Management from Santa Clara University.
Rangarajan Raghuram
Company
VMware
Headquarters
Palo Alto, California, United States
Revenue
$13.16 billion (2022)
Term of Office
2021-Present
Indian Origin CEO – Rangarajan Raghuram (VMware)
Rangarajan Raghuram currently serves as the CEO of VMware, who assumed his office on June 1, 2021.
Raghuram joined the company back in 2003 and has held multiple key leadership positions, thus being responsible for influencing the company’s strategies and bringing forth a technological revolution that VMware has seen.
Punit Renjen
Company
Deloitte
Headquarters
London, England
Revenue
$59 billion (2022)
Term of Office
2015-2022
Indian Origin CEO – Punit Renjen (Deloitte)
Renjen was born and raised in India, where he earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Bombay. He later moved to the United States to pursue an MBA from Willamette University’s Atkinson Graduate School of Management in Oregon.
After completing his MBA, Renjen joined Deloitte’s U.S. consulting practice in 1989. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a partner in the firm’s consulting practice in 1999.
In 2015, Renjen was appointed as the Global CEO of Deloitte, becoming the first person of Indian origin to lead one of the “Big Four” accounting firms.
On December 31, 2022, Punit retired as Deloitte Global CEO after having served in the role since June 2015. He now serves as Deloitte Global CEO Emeritus.
Ivan Menezes
Company
Diageo
Headquarters
London, England
Revenue
$20.56 billion (2022)
Term of Office
2013-2023
Indian Origin CEO – Ivan Menezes (Diageo)
Ivan Menezes was born in Pune, India, in 1959. Menezes attended high school in Hong Kong and went on to study at the University of Pune in India, where he earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree.
He then moved to the United States to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management.
Menezes started his career with Nestle in 1986, working in various roles across Latin America, Europe, and Asia. Menezes joined Diageo in 1997 as a strategy director and was subsequently appointed president and CEO of Diageo North America in 2004.
He was later promoted to the role of Chief Operating Officer in 2012, before becoming CEO in 2013.
Ivan served as the CEO of Diageo from 2013 until his passing in June 2023. Later, in June 2023, Debra Crew was appointed as Diageo’s Chief Executive Officer.
Amrapali ‘Ami’ Gan
Company
OnlyFans
Headquarters
London, England
Revenue
$2.5 billion (2022)
Term of Office
2021-2023
Indian Origin CEO – Amrapali Gan (OnlyFans)
Amrapali Gan has been named the new CEO of the London-based internet content subscription service company, OnlyFans on December 21, 2021, with the founder of the company Tim Stokely stepping down from the role. The NRI Indian CEO has already assumed office on the same date.
Amrapali Gan, or ‘Ami’ Gan, as she is nicknamed, has completed her early and higher education in California, US.
Gan has completed her Associate of Arts degree in Merchandise Marketing from FIDM. She then pursued a Bachelor of Arts in PR and Organisational Communications from California State University.
Furthermore, she also went on to earn her Certificate of Entrepreneurship from Harvard Business School Online. Ami had worked as a consultant with Arcade Agency for around 4 years before being appointed as the CEO of OnlyFans.
In July 2023, Ami Gan resigned as the CEO of OnlyFans after a two-year tenure, with Chief Strategy and Operations Officer Keily Blair stepping in as the new CEO. Ami Gan has started her own new venture, Hoxton Projects.
Sanjay Jha
Company
Global Foundries and Motorola
Headquarters
Malta, New York, United States
Revenue
$2.5 billion (2022)
Term of Office
2014-2018
Indian Origin CEO – Sanjay K Jha (GlobalFoundries and Motorola)
He is the former chief executive officer (CEO) of GlobalFoundries and the former chairman and CEO of Motorola Mobility. Before that, he was the chief operating officer of Qualcomm.
Jha was born in Bhagalpur, Bihar, and holds a BS from the University of Liverpool and a PhD from the University of Strathclyde.
Rajeev Suri
Company
Nokia
Headquarters
Espoo, Finland
Revenue
$25.997 billion (2022)
Term of Office
2014-2020
Indian Origin CEO – Rajeev Suri (Nokia)
Rajeev Suri is an Indian–Singaporean business executive and the former CEO of Nokia from New Delhi, India. Suri joined Nokia in 1995 and held various key positions before being the President and CEO in April 2014, which was after Nokia had repurchased full control of the NSN and sold its phone division to Microsoft Mobile.
Suri holds a B-Tech from the Manipal Institute of Technology. After he left his office at Nokia, Suri in 2020 giving way to its new CEO, Pekka Lundmark, Suri joined Inmarsat, where he joined as a CEO effective from March 1, 2021, onwards.
Francisco D’Souza
Company
Cognizant
Headquarters
Teaneck, New Jersey, United States
Revenue
$19.428 billion (2022)
Term of Office
2007-2019
Indian Origin CEO – Francisco D’Souza (Cognizant)
Francisco D’Souza is among the youngest CEOs in the software services sector and a member of the company’s board of directors. D’Souza joined Cognizant as a co-founder in 1994 and went on to become its CEO in 2007.
The son of an Indian, D’Souza was born in Kenya and is distinguished as the former CEO and Vice Chairman of Cognizant. He holds a BBA from the University of East Asia, Macau, and an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh.
Brian Humphries succeeded Francisco D’Souza as Cognizant’s CEO in April 2019, and later in January 2023, Ravi Kumar S was appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of Cognizant.
Dinesh Paliwal
Company
Harman International
Headquarters
Stamford, Connecticut, United States
Revenue
$2.7 billion (2022)
Term of Office
2007-2020
Indian Origin CEO – Dinesh Paliwal (Harman International)
Born in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, Paliwal holds a BE and an MS degree from IIT Roorkee. He also obtained an MBA from Miami University.
Paliwal is known as the former President and CEO of Harman International, an independent subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, who stepped down from both of the positions and is currently appointed among the Board of Directors of the company.
Before joining Harman, he spent 22 years with ABB Group, where he held the dual role of President of ABB Group with responsibility for the company’s global P&L, and Chairman/CEO – ABB North America.
Ashok Vemuri
Company
Conduent Inc. of Xerox Corporation
Headquarters
Florham Park, New Jersey, United States
Revenue
$3.85 billion (2022)
Term of Office
2016-2019
Indian Origin CEO – Ashok Vemuri (Conduent Inc of Xerox Corporation)
New Delhi-born Ashok Vemuri is one among the Board of Directors for Financial Policy and Public Responsibilities at Kroger and was the former Chief Executive Officer of IGATE and Conduent.
Xerox, the 110-year-old document technology company that over the years came to symbolize everything associated with photocopying, named former iGate-appointed CEO Ashok Vemuri as the new CEO of its back-office outsourcing company, Conduent.
Vemuri was also appointed as the Executive Vice President and CEO of Xerox Business Services LLC.
Ajaypal Singh Banga
Company
Mastercard
Headquarters
Purchase, Harrison, New York, United States
Revenue
$22.23 billion (2022)
Term of Office
2010-2020
Indian Origin CEO – Ajaypal Singh Banga (Mastercard)
Beginning his business career with Nestlé in 1981, Pune-born Ajaypal Singh Banga was appointed as the President and CEO of Mastercard back in July 2010 and retained his office till December 31, 2020, after which he stepped down giving way to Michael Miebach.
He completed his primary education at the Hyderabad Public School in Begumpet and he went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Economics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University followed by a PGP in Management from the IIM Ahmedabad.
Banga was nominated by the Biden administration in February 2023 and elected as the President of the World Bank on May 3, 2023.
Born in Ajmer, Rajasthan on May 21, 1984, Parag Agrawal was schooled at Atomic Energy Central School No.4., where he studied with the renowned singer Shreya Ghoshal. Agrawal sat for the Joint Entrance Exam, where he was placed 77th, thereby seizing a chance to be admitted at the IIT Bombay.
He completed his B.Tech. degree in Computer Science and Engineering from the same institute in 2005. Parag then decided to pursue a PhD in computer science from Stanford University, US.
He was the CEO of Twitter, Inc. from November 2021 to October 2022. Agrawal was promoted to the post of Chief Technology Officer (CTO) in October 2017, when he replaced Adam Massinger. This was the last designation that he served before being named as the Chief Executive Officer of the company on November 29, 2021.
Conclusion
CEOs are integral to a company. He/she, when appointed as the CEO of a particular company, manages and monitors the day-to-day operations of the firm, and also stands responsible for strategic planning and decision-making. The CEO is the person who determines the direction of a business and is thus, a respectable as well as a valuable asset of the company.
Therefore, it feels exceptionally good to be an Indian when you get to hear that the CEOs of such big companies that are shaping the modern world are Indian in origin. Hope you find this list of Indian-origin CEOs at the top companies globally useful and informative!
FAQs
Who is the highest paid CEO of India?
Mukesh Ambani, the CEO of Reliance Industries is the highest paid CEO of India.
Who are the top 10 CEO in world?
Top 10 CEO in world are:
Elon Musk
Satya Nadella
Mark Zuckerberg
Andy Jassy
Tim Cook
Jeff Bezos
Jack Dorsey
Arvind Krishna
Warren Buffett
Jamie Dimon
Who are the Indian Origin CEOs leading the world?
Some of the top Indian origin CEOs leading the world are:
For centuries, Indians have been renowned for their love of food. Even if the notion of restaurants is not new in our nation, it has seen a significant evolution in recent years. Restaurants in India have grown from humble beginnings as street vendors and one-room stalls to multibillion-dollar businesses.
Those businessmen who were foresighted enough to see the growth potential in this industry have made significant investments and are now enjoying the rewards. Moreover, because of the changing lifestyles of the people, more disposable money, favorable demographics, and an increase in the number of working women, the Indian food business has seen a major transformation.
One of the main reasons for the restaurant industry’s success in India is the rising popularity of dining out, which has virtually become a habit among the country’s working population. However, when it comes to the organized players, they’ve gone far beyond the metros and into small villages and cities.
The graph shows the approximate number of outlets in India for each brand.
Music, dancing, festivals, and, most importantly to us, cuisines all abound in India, making it a veritable melting pot of cultures. The cuisines of the south and east of India are quite distinct from those of the north. The Indian fast food and restaurant industry has benefited greatly from this strategy. Some of the chain restaurants in India may be found here:
If you’re in the mood for some sweets or a hearty dinner of some of the greatest fast food in India, Bikanervala has you covered. The Aggarwal brothers launched it in 1950. Bikanervala’s fast-food restaurants provide a wide range of cuisines, including Indian, Chinese, Indo-Italian, and even Continental dishes.
It is common for Bikanervala stores to have multi-story structures. The lowermost level houses the sweets and dry takeaway snacks, such as samosas and kachoris, and the higher floors are allocated for dine-in services. This Indian cuisine business is always packed, regardless of the day of the week or the time.
Bikanervala is more than just a chain of sit-down eateries. It is their first into the packaged food market with Bikano, which includes chips, candies, curry and dal masalas, etc. Another multi-cuisine restaurant in Bikanervala, Bikano Chat Cafe, serves chaat and Angan. India’s greatest fast food may be found at these restaurants.
Many young people believe fast-food restaurants like Nando’s or Taco Bell are “cool.” However, Nirula’s was the best thing ever in the 1990s. Nirula’s is one of the oldest and most famous Indian fast-food chains, particularly in the Delhi NCR area.
Its hot chocolate fudge is still a favourite delicacy, decades after being first introduced (HCF). All ages are welcome at Nirula’s, including seniors, children, and the elderly. People would go there in the evenings with their friends or family to grab a Hot Chocolate Fudge.
However, this isn’t the end of the story. Burgers, pizza, salads, and other delectables are also available at this fast food joint. But it is most renowned for its ice cream sundaes and milkshakes. However, it was formed in 1934 under a different name, and its first store opened in 1977 at Connaught Place, the hub of New Delhi.
Nirula’s Potpourri — a restaurant distinct from the usual fast-food chain service – is another branch of Nirula’s, in addition to the Pegasus bars. They also have several smaller ice cream parlours and takeout locations dispersed around the nation.
India’s Cafe Coffee Day is one of the country’s most popular culinary franchises. This Cafe in Bengaluru is a favourite among locals. People come here to socialize and eat their specialities, not to work. So the greatest coffee in India may be found here.
There are roughly 1500 Cafe Coffee Day locations in India. Popular products on their menu include the chicken cheeseburger, the large crunch veg classic, hot brownie fudge, black forest cake, and double shots of coffee. The ice cream at Cafe Coffee Day is legendary.
TATA Starbucks Private Limited is the Indian name for the American coffee corporation Starbucks. It is well-known for producing some of India’s finest coffees.
Tata Global Beverages and Starbucks Corporation, which owns and runs all of India’s Starbucks locations, are partners in one of India’s biggest joint ventures.
Indian-inspired items such as Tandoori paneer roll, chicken Kathi roll, and elaichi mewa croissant are also available at Starbucks in India.
Starbucks ‘ espresso drinks in India are created using Tata coffee’s Indian roasted beans. It has stores in several of the country’s most popular malls and independent locations.
When it comes to franchising, Starbucks does not follow the conventional franchise business model. It does not give franchises to individuals to open a store. However, people do have the option to submit an application to open a licenced store. In this way, people can pay an amount to rent the brand.
One of the most popular Indian food chains is Haldiram’s, founded in the city of Bikaner in Rajasthan. But, there’s more to this chain than namkeens and mithais: (sweets and savoury snacks).
In addition to sweets, the firm also offers packaged chips and namkeens, including aloo bhujia and sesame seed sev and nav rattan mix and moong dal and peanuts.
However, there’s more to it than just that. Haldiram’s also offers packaged, ready-to-eat meals, making it easy to take them on the go. It began in Bikaner in 1937, but the first Haldiram store debuted in Delhi in 1982.
You may also visit one of Haldiram’s restaurants to sample chaat or other Indianized Chinese, Italian, or Continental cuisine.
Happy Meals, birthday parties at McDonald’s, and the joyous squealing of children as Ronald McDonald arrived at the celebration were a feature of the childhoods of Indian children in the 1990s.
When McDonald’s first opened in California in the 1940s, founders Maurice and Richard McDonald were looking for a place to open a fast-food restaurant. McDonald’s in India was the first to offer a menu devoid of meat and pork.
In consideration of Indian dietary preferences, McAloo Tikki, Pizza McPuff, and McVeggie were introduced to the menu. In addition, Non-vegetarians may choose from a wide variety of poultry and fish dishes.
McMuffin (burgers) in a vegetarian, chicken, and egg McMuffin choice are served till 10 a.m. at certain locations. In addition, the morning menu is available at some McDonald’s locations.
Many people in India say, “Let’s Party at Barbeque Nation.” Barbeque Nation was started in 2006 and has since grown into one of India’s most popular food franchises. After the launch of Barbeque Nation in India, the popularity of grill-based dishes such as barbecue and kebabs grew. The menu at restaurant has a variety of dishes that have been spiced up with various herbs and spices.
BBQ Nation’s menu includes a wide variety of mouthwatering foods such Veg Keema and Paratha and a variety of mutton and chicken dishes like Angra and Angra with Cajun spices. On this restaurant’s menu, customers can discover a wide range of items to choose from. Following its ascent to prominence, Barbeque Nation is regarded as one of India’s most notable restaurant brands.
One of the world’s most famous food franchises, Subway, is well-known and well recognized. You can’t get enough of the aroma and flavour of freshly baked bread with various toppings. This is the reason why Indians enjoy Subway so much.
Subway quickly rose to prominence in India as one of the country’s most popular fast-food restaurants. Subway’s cuisine is of the highest quality. As a precautionary measure, workers even make their bread for clients.
Pepperoni sandwiches, ham, and salami are among the most popular dishes. In addition, desserts like muffins and flatbread are available if you’re in the mood for something sweet.
Fast-food chain McDonald’s only rival is Burger King. Burger King is right up there with McDonald’s as one of India’s most popular fast-food restaurants in terms of quality. In the United States, Burger King is a well-known hamburger chain.
The burgers and meals offered by this establishment are known for their variety and uniqueness. The bacon King Jr., a variety of whoppers, cheeseburgers, and even crispy and curly fries are just a few mouth-watering options available at this fast food joint.
Burger King’s dessert menu includes pancakes, chocolate milk, Frappuccinos, ice creams, etc. Burger King has outlets in most major cities, including Bangalore, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Coimbatore, etc.
Barista Lavazza’s coffee has made it a household name in India, where it is now one of the most well-known food brands. Barista Lavazza uses freshly roasted coffee beans to make real and distinctive coffee. Even the coffee powder may be yours for a low price.
An Italian coffee was provided here, as you might know well. As a result of this, the company’s reputation soared. Nepal, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Myanmar, and many more nations are now served by Barista Lavazza. Oreo chocolate latte, caramel latte, and many other options are big sellers here.
Restaurants serve food and beverages. Restaurants differ in terms of menu style, preparation and serving methods, and price. In addition, restaurants can provide amenities such as restrooms, parking, a lounge, and a children’s play area.
The main purpose of restaurants is to serve the best quality food to the customers. In the above article, we have discussed the biggest restaurant chains in India that serves this purpose in the best possible way.
FAQs
Who is the owner of Subway?
Subway is owned by Elisabeth DeLuca and Peter Buck.
When was Burger King Incorporated?
Burger King was incorporated in 1953 in Florida.
How many outlets of Barbeque Nation are present in India?
Barbeque Nation has approximately 150 outlets as recorded in India.
