The company
Facts About Starbucks Middle EastThough our roots are in the United States, we are a global company with stores in 86 markets, including over 1,900 stores in 11 Middle Eastern and North African markets employing more than 19,000 green apron partners (employees). In markets where we do business, we are proud to be a part of the fabric of the local community – working directly with local business partners who operate our stores, employing thousands of local citizens, serving millions of customers and positively impacting many others through our support of local neighborhoods and cities.Our 400,000 partners around the globe have diverse views about a wide range of topics. Regardless of that spectrum of beliefs, Starbucks has been and remains a non-political organization. Neither Starbucks nor the company's former chairman, president and ceo Howard Schultz provide financial support to the Israeli government and/or the Israeli Army in any way.
What we do believe in, and remain focused on, is staying true to our company's long-standing heritage – simply connecting with our partners and customers over a cup of high-quality coffee and offering the best experience possible to them - regardless of geographical location.
Questions and Answers:
- No. This is absolutely untrue. Rumors that Starbucks or Howard provides financial support to the Israeli government and/or the Israeli Army are unequivocally false. Starbucks is a publicly held company and as such, is required to disclose any corporate giving each year through a proxy statement.
- No. This is absolutely untrue.
- No. We do not make business decisions based on political issues. We decided to dissolve our partnership in Israel in 2003 due to the on-going operational challenges that we experienced in that market. After many months of discussion with our partner we came to this amicable decision. While this was a difficult decision for both companies, we believe it remains the right decision for our businesses.
- We decided to dissolve our partnership in Israel in 2003 due to the on-going operational challenges that we experienced in that market.
When and where the business case makes sense and we see a fit for the Starbucks brand in a market we will work closely with a local partner to assess the feasibility of offering our brand to that community. We will therefore continue to assess all opportunities on this basis. At present, we will continue to grow our business in the Middle East as we have been very gratified by the strong reception of the brand in the region. We continue to work closely with our business partner, Alshaya Group, in developing our plans for the region.
- Through a licensing agreement with trading partner and licensee MH Alshaya Co. WLL, a private Kuwait family business, Starbucks has operated in the Middle East since 1999. Today Alshaya Group, which is recognized as one of the leading and most influential brand franchise enterprises in the region, operates more than 1,900 Starbucks stores spanning from North Africa through the Middle East and Türkiye, to Central Asia.
We are extremely fortunate and proud to have forged a successful partnership for over 20 years with Alshaya Group and look forward to building on this success.
- We partner with Alshaya Group to operate Starbucks stores in Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Türkiye and United Arab Emirates in the Middle East and North Africa region. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to work with so many communities, and we are committed to providing the Starbucks Experience while respecting the local customs and cultures of each market we are a part of. We are also committed to hiring locally, providing jobs to thousands of local citizens in the markets where we operate.
To say Starbucks purchases and roasts high-quality whole bean coffee is very true. That's the essence of what we do—but it hardly tells the whole story.
Starbucks cafés have become a beacon for coffee lovers everywhere. Why do they insist on going to a Starbucks café? Because they know they can count on genuine service, an inviting atmosphere, and a superb cup of expertly roasted and richly brewed coffee every time.More Than Coffee
We're not just passionate purveyors of coffee. Starbucks also brings you everything else that goes with a full and rewarding café experience. We offer a selection of premium teas, fine pastries and a delicious variety of light bites. And the music you hear in store is chosen for its artistry and appeal. It's not unusual to see people coming to Starbucks to chat, meet up or even work. Our cafés are a neighborhood gathering place, a part of your daily routine.About Alshaya Group
Starbucks has been present in the Middle East since the opening of its first store in Kuwait in 1999 and is operated by Alshaya Group, one of Starbucks' largest and longest-standing licensed partners worldwide.
Today, Alshaya Group operates more than 2,000 Starbucks stores in 13 countries in Türkiye, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan and employs 21,000 green apron partners serving 1 million customers every day.
Alshaya Group is a dynamic family company that was first established in Kuwait in 1890. With a track record of consistent growth and innovation, Alshaya Group is one of the world's leading brand franchise operators, offering customers an unparalleled selection of much-loved international brands.
Today, Starbucks is the world's number one company in purchasing and roasting coffee, with over 31,000 stores in 86 markets around the world. And we strive to deliver a unique Starbucks experience with every cup.OUR THANKS, BY THE THOUSANDS:
We extend our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of our guests for giving us the opportunity to connect with them. We are deeply grateful to every one of our baristas and all our store teams who contribute to this journey; we will continue to express our sincere appreciation every day. We offer our endless thanks to all our local producers and suppliers who make it possible for us to produce in these lands and consume in these lands. We also sincerely thank all our local partners who make this great network and sense of unity possible.
Starbucks cafés have become a beacon for coffee lovers everywhere. Why do they insist on going to a Starbucks café? Because they know they can count on genuine service, an inviting atmosphere, and a superb cup of expertly roasted and richly brewed coffee every time.More Than Coffee
We're not just passionate purveyors of coffee. Starbucks also brings you everything else that goes with a full and rewarding café experience. We offer a selection of premium teas, fine pastries and a delicious variety of light bites. And the music you hear in store is chosen for its artistry and appeal. It's not unusual to see people coming to Starbucks to chat, meet up or even work. Our cafés are a neighborhood gathering place, a part of your daily routine.About Alshaya Group
Starbucks has been present in the Middle East since the opening of its first store in Kuwait in 1999 and is operated by Alshaya Group, one of Starbucks' largest and longest-standing licensed partners worldwide.
Today, Alshaya Group operates more than 2,000 Starbucks stores in 13 countries in Türkiye, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan and employs 21,000 green apron partners serving 1 million customers every day.
Alshaya Group is a dynamic family company that was first established in Kuwait in 1890. With a track record of consistent growth and innovation, Alshaya Group is one of the world's leading brand franchise operators, offering customers an unparalleled selection of much-loved international brands.
Today, Starbucks is the world's number one company in purchasing and roasting coffee, with over 31,000 stores in 86 markets around the world. And we strive to deliver a unique Starbucks experience with every cup.OUR THANKS, BY THE THOUSANDS:
We extend our heartfelt thanks to each and every one of our guests for giving us the opportunity to connect with them. We are deeply grateful to every one of our baristas and all our store teams who contribute to this journey; we will continue to express our sincere appreciation every day. We offer our endless thanks to all our local producers and suppliers who make it possible for us to produce in these lands and consume in these lands. We also sincerely thank all our local partners who make this great network and sense of unity possible.
Did you know these?
- As Starbucks® Türkiye, today we welcome our guests every day with the same love and care, thanks to more than 2,100 black-apron coffee masters and over 7,500 baristas across the country.
- With more than 760 stores in 59 cities throughout Türkiye, we reach millions of guests nationwide.
- With 11 Drive Thru and 13 Reserve stores, we work tirelessly to enrich the guest experience.
- In line with our commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility, we are proud that 71 of our stores hold the Greener Store (Eco-Friendly Store) certification.
- At Starbucks® Türkiye, our guests’ most preferred beverage is Caffè Latte, while Poppy Seed Three Cheese Sandwich stands out among food choices.
- Among plant-based milk alternatives, we offer Almond, Soy, Coconut, and Oat options to our guests; Oat beverage stands out as our guests’ favorite.
- The Turkish Tea and Yeni Çay varieties served in our stores are prepared from blends of teas carefully produced for us in the Eastern Black Sea region and offered to our guests.
- To deliver beloved Starbucks® Türkiye flavors across the country, our logistics network travels a distance equivalent to 7,017 end-to-end journeys across Türkiye each year.
- By collaborating with more than 30 local food producers in 12 different cities, we deliver over 100 million locally produced food items to our guests annually.
- All 70,000 liters of milk used daily in Starbucks® Türkiye stores are sourced entirely from local dairy producers operating in Türkiye, and our bottled spring waters are also selected from local water brands.
Starbucks Türkiye and Alshaya Group, Related Articles:
Donates to Turkiye and Syria earthquake relief efforts.https://www.alshaya.com/en/media-centre/alshaya-news/the-starbucks-foundation-starbucks-corporation-and-alshaya-group-donate-1-million-usd-to-turkiye-and-syria-earthquake-relief-efforts/
About Alshaya Group Türkiye, to which Starbucks Türkiye is affiliatedhttps://www.shaya.com.tr/web/37-686-1-1/en/hakkimizda/hakkimizda/our_company
Corporate responsibility activities carried out by Starbucks Türkiyehttps://www.starbucks.com.tr/sosyal-sorumluluk/projeler