Starbucks Corporation is an American multinational chain of coffeehouses headquartered in Seattle, Washington, founded in 1971 as a coffee bean retailer. It has grown into the world’s premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee, offering a wide range of coffee, tea, and food items. Under the leadership of Howard Schultz, the company expanded rapidly by focusing on coffee as an experience, creating a “Third Place” for customers between home and work.