Starbucks in brief
- Rank: #17 of 100 in America's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026; #2 of 13 in Hospitality & Travel.
- WCRC Power Score: 76.46 out of 100.
- Founded: 1971, by Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl and Gordon Bowker.
- Owner: Starbucks Corporation, Seattle, Washington.
- Leadership: Brian Niccol, Chairman and CEO.
- Latest revenue: $37.9bn revenue (FY2026, year to Sep, +2.0%), as per company filings.
What makes Starbucks powerful
Starbucks made premium coffee an everyday ritual. Its green siren logo, its cafe seating and its custom drinks give people a familiar place between home and work, and its app and rewards program make ordering part of their daily routine. Few restaurant brands are woven into so many mornings.
The reach is global. At the end of September 2026, Starbucks had 41,607 coffeehouses worldwide, about two-thirds of them run by licensed partners, and 16,781 in the United States. In the final quarter of fiscal 2026 it opened 303 net new coffeehouses. Under its Back to Starbucks plan, the brand has put the focus back on service and the cafe experience, and customers are responding by visiting more often.
Starbucks ended fiscal 2026 with 41,607 coffeehouses around the world, about 40% of them in the United States.
Why Starbucks ranks #17
Starbucks sits at #17 in the US ranking, just behind Nike and American Express, which share the #15 and #16 spots, and just ahead of Hilton at #18 and Royal Caribbean at #19. It scores very high on positioning and recall and on daily habit. Nike and Amex edge ahead on financial strength and global brand weight. Starbucks stays above Hilton and Royal Caribbean because it is part of millions of people's daily routines, not just their trips.
The Achilles' heel
Starbucks still relies heavily on price to grow. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, US comparable sales rose 7.7%, but most of that came from a 5.2% rise in the average ticket, while transactions rose 2.4%. If coffee prices stretch customers too far, visits could slow again. Its China business now runs as a licensed joint venture after a conversion completed in fiscal 2026.
The 2026 story
2026 was the year Starbucks' turnaround started to show. In the third quarter of fiscal 2026, Starbucks converted its China retail business into a licensed joint venture. On October 29, 2026, it reported global comparable sales up 6.2% for the fiscal year, with transactions up 3.2%, and US comparable sales up 7.7% in the fourth quarter. Niccol said Back to Starbucks had started as a turnaround plan and was now its growth plan.
Pillar profile
Starbucks's full 50-parameter profile is published on its World's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026 page.
Versus its nearest rivals
Questions people ask
What rank is Starbucks in WCRC's America's Most Powerful Brands 2026?
Starbucks ranks #17 of 100 in WCRC's America's Most Powerful 100 Brands 2026, with a WCRC Power Score of 76.46 out of 100.
What makes Starbucks powerful?
Its stores, app and rewards programme make Starbucks part of millions of daily routines.
What is Starbucks's revenue?
$37.9bn revenue (FY2026, year to Sep, +2.0%), as per company filings.
Who founded and owns Starbucks?
Starbucks was founded in 1971 by Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl and Gordon Bowker. It is owned by Starbucks Corporation and based in Seattle, Washington.
Who leads Starbucks?
Brian Niccol, Chairman and CEO.
What is Starbucks's biggest challenge?
A turnaround under Brian Niccol after slower US sales, plus labour disputes.
Also featured in
- Most powerful Hospitality & Travel brands
- America's 50 Most Valuable Brands
- American Global Powerhouses
- Most powerful brands in Washington
Key facts
| Brand | Starbucks |
|---|---|
| Company / owner | Starbucks Corporation |
| Headquarters | Seattle, Washington, United States |
| Founded | 1971 |
| Founder(s) | Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl and Gordon Bowker |
| Leadership | Brian Niccol, Chairman and CEO |
| Latest revenue | $37.9bn revenue (FY2026, year to Sep, +2.0%), as per company filings |
| Sector | Hospitality & Travel |
| Website | starbucks.com |
| Country of origin | United States |
Sources
- Annual report (Form 10-K) and financial results of Starbucks Corporation filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission
- Company website, official announcements and press releases
- Published interviews and statements by the leadership
- WCRC Business Intelligence Unit research: consumer sentiment, ratings and reviews, search demand, media and social data
