Starbucks Opens 500th Store in Latin America

Starbucks Coffee Co. (Seattle) opened the doors to its 500th coffee shop in Latin America in Santiago, Chile.

“Since we opened our first store in Puerto Rico nine years ago, we have seen tremendous growth opportunities in Latin America – even some of our biggest markets are just getting started,” says Cliff Burrows, president, Americas, Starbucks Coffee Co. “Today’s milestone demonstrates our continued commitment and enthusiasm for the region and the optimism for the opportunities ahead.”

Located on Huerfanos, a pedestrian street in downtown Santiago, the store showcases Starbucks’ new store design concept featuring a fusion of local and global design elements. Starbucks says its international business is a key future growth engine for the company, including Brazil, where it plans to open several hundred stores in the next five years.

Additionally, in October, Starbucks strengthened its relationship with Alsea, its joint venture partner in Argentina, Chile and Mexico. Plans call for more than 300 new stores in Argentina and Mexico within the next five years. Currently, the specialty coffee roaster and retailer operates stores in Argentina, Aruba, The Bahamas, Brazil, Chile, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Peru and Puerto Rico.