Instead of a franchise, Starbucks offers a program. This allows a third-party operator to use the Starbucks brand and sell its products, but only in specific, high-traffic locations where Starbucks doesn't want to manage operations directly.
The short answer is that in the United States or Canada . Unlike competitors like Dunkin' or 7-Eleven, Starbucks grows primarily through company-owned stores to maintain a "fanatical" level of control over the brand experience.
However, there is an alternative called , which accounts for nearly half of all Starbucks locations globally. 1. The Licensing Model (The "Franchise" Alternative) how do i buy a starbucks franchise
Difference between corporate and licensed stores : r/starbucks
Baristas at licensed locations are usually employees of the host business (e.g., Target employees), not Starbucks corporate. 2. Estimated Costs & Financial Requirements Instead of a franchise, Starbucks offers a program
Licenses are typically granted for locations inside existing businesses, such as airports, hotels, grocery stores (like Target or Kroger), college campuses, and hospitals .
Unlike a franchise, you do not "own" the business in the traditional sense; you are essentially "renting" the brand for use within your larger establishment. Unlike competitors like Dunkin' or 7-Eleven, Starbucks grows
Opening a licensed store still requires significant capital, though terms are often negotiated case-by-case.