Starbucks sign

How to Open a Starbucks franchise: A Practical Step‑by‑Step Guide

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to open a Starbucks, you’re not alone. Simply put, Starbucks expands mainly through licensed stores rather than traditional franchise models in most countries. This changes the process but doesn’t make it unattainable.

First: understand the model (franchise vs. license)

  • Franchise: You purchase the rights to operate a branded business under strict guidelines.
  • Licensed Store: You run a Starbucks outlet within your existing business or property (such as an airport, hotel, mall, or campus) through a licensing agreement.

Check if you’re a fit

  • Experience in retail or food operations
  • Strong financial resources (for build-out and working capital)
  • Premium location with consistent foot traffic
  • Capability to meet brand standards

Choose the right location type

  • Airports and transit stations
  • Universities
  • Hotels and resorts
  • Malls and high-traffic retail areas

Prepare a simple operator pack

  • Company profile
  • Location proposal
  • Financial overview
  • Proof of relevant experience

Apply through the right channel

Depending on your country, you will apply either directly to Starbucks or through a local partner. Unfortunately, you cannot apply through our website, even though we have received hundreds of applications in the comment section over recent years.

Typical timeline for opening a new Starbucks location

  • 0–2 months: Initial contact and evaluation
  • 2–6 months: Agreement terms and site approval
  • 6–12 months: Design, build-out, hiring, and training

FAQ

Can I open a Starbucks as a “classic franchise”

In many markets, Starbucks does not operate through traditional franchising. Instead, most stores are established under licensing agreements, or there is an exclusive franchise partner managing the brand across the entire country.

How much money would I need?

The required investment varies greatly depending on location and format. Budget for build-out costs plus an operating buffer for the initial months.

Editor’s note (2026 update): Share your country or region with us, and we can provide guidance tailored to your local model.

Related Posts

81 Comments

  1. I would really like to open a Starbuck in Italy, where I live, near Milano. If you have some company or some contact or someone in your staff that i could speak with, please tell me.I know that Starbuck does not franchise to individuals
    but I think that business is always open to widen.in particulary when people are
    very williness.
    In any case I hope for your answer.
    Your faithfully
    mirta

  2. hi mirta
    i have the same idea and would like to start.
    i am in a different region here in italy but I would like to know the very first steps to do business with starbucks.
    best wishes

  3. hi my name is Edwin and i wanna open a Starbucks in a very good area in Edmonton( location Windermere. Please get back to me Thanks for your time take care.

    Phone number ( 1780-713-9388)

  4. I have a loction thats perfect for starbucks can you starbucks email me i want to do any type of deal with you to get it started

  6. I am exploring the possibility of opening a Starbucks in Honesdale, PA 18431. Could you send me some information?

  7. I have the perfect place for a SB and wanted to open a store. After investigating I learned that the requirements are too restrictive and one-sided. So, I dropped my plan and instead just purchased SB stock. Now I don’t have to work day and night trying to keep a store profitable, instead I just watch my stock value grow and I don’t have to do anything!

  9. You dingos the owner of Starbucks isn’t monitoring this page. Please email me starbucks?? WTf u all are retarded

  10. Sir,
    I want to open a franchise of star bucks in east delhi . Can u tell me the procedure & free to contact me without hesitation on my given below nos.
    9312214395 (india)

  11. I am opening a brand new resturant, bar and inn
    in palenville, catskill new york and would like to know if I can work wih you to
    have Starbucks coffee in my resturant.

  12. Dear Sir/Madam,

    I would like to know if you are opening up Starbucks Coffee in Karachi, Pakistan. Starbucks would make lot of profits as other international coffee chains like Gloria Coffee (located in Dolmen Mall,Karachi) is the only international coffee chain. It will be a good competition and Starbucks can make more profits as most of the Pakistani knows and wants Starbucks to come into the market.
    Please let me know through email what’s stopping starbucks from entering the Pakistani Market as other international coffee chain were successful to enter this market.

    Waiting for your reply.
    THANK-you!

  14. Hello

    I have recently been to the USA, and loved Starbucks, every morning I woke up to go find the nearest shop, to get my daily dose.
    I would love to open one in South Africa, Please contact me so I can follow the proper procedures.

  15. I am interested to open a Starbucks in Africa. Do you guys have some ideas how to contact the management or maybe what is the first step to process?

    Thank you very much

  16. I just returned from a trip in Chai Ching China, I have an excellent place to open coffe shop with traffic of about one million people a day , I am very interested to run this project and I am very connected with local government
    David

  17. I just returned from a trip from Chingching ,China
    I have an excellent location with tragic of over one million peoples day , I am very interested to run this project, I have an excellent relationsheep with local government .
    Hope to here from you soon
    David

  20. Dear,
    I’m from poland but i live in Belarus in Minsk – capital, There is no Starbucks coffe and I think it’s good idea to open one here. I think I can do it but i need Your help because here is not enough information how can I make it.

    If You are interested please contact with me.
    my mobile + 375 44 74 18 707

  21. Dear Starbuck company, I live in Cambodia located in siem reap, I would like to open one in my country. Pls inform me if I can have a business with you. I’m waiting to seeing your reply. Thx

  23. Hi

    I’m a teenage girl. I’m 18 years old. And next year when i’m done with school i want to study for marketing management. And since i was 14 i wanted to drink starbucks coffee. So next year im going to au pair in Holland and drink my first starbucks. And it got me thinking that i really with all my heart want to open my own coffee shop since 5 years old. And that i maybe can open a starbucks franchise in South-Africa in Cape Town and Johannesburg where there is a lot of people. Because South-Africans would do anything for starbucks coffee.

    Regards.
    Hope to hear from you. =)

  24. I own a building in a great upscale area and I want to open a Starbucks. Please email me so I know what steps to take if any.

    Thanks,
    Salatheo Johnson

  25. i live in como and so desperate to open starbucks here in como… my origin is manila philippines and starbucks have been my second home back then. ive been here in italy for like 18 years and have to go to switzerland just to have the taste of my so-called 2nd home hahaha! there’s arnold’s coffee shop in milan which i’ve tried lots of times which gives me a lil taste of starbucks but not really that close… hope franchising will be approved soon

  26. i want franchise licence from starbicks
    in order to open it in south of saudi arabia on the beach with franchised restorant

  28. Hi,

    I am very keen to open Starbucks licensed shop here in Haryana. This place is a prime location please let me know more details.

    Regards
    Sanjay

  29. I leave in Miami Beach Florida and I had already send in a request for a location for a new Starbucks and that was Bal Harbor and Harding Ave, yes that locations was opened and I never got a reply…… I have another location and my two sons and I want to open a Starbucks and be part of your team…..
    Thank you< hope to hear from you this time around

    Sincerely

    Patricia Hernandez

  30. I am a valued costumer for Starbucks. I am interested to open a Starbucks around Grand Rapids MI.] . Do you guys have some ideas how to contact the management or maybe what is the first step to process?
    Aberra

  31. I am a valued costumer for Starbucks. I am interested to open a Starbucks around Grand Rapids MI. How to contact the management or what is the first step to process?
    Aberra

  32. I am interested in opening a Starbucks in Istanbul Turkey, can please assist me on the licensing process, I would greatly appreciate any information you may be able to send me.

    Thank You
    Mike Napoli
    832-875-1272

  34. I have recently been to the USA, and loved Starbucks, every morning I woke up to go find the nearest shop, to get my daily dose.
    I would love to open one in Ahmadabad India, Please contact me so I can follow the proper procedures.
    REPLY

  36. How to get the licence shop. What kind of procedure is necessary to get the licence? How much money is necessary to put in the store? I’m from Europe, Slovenia.

    Andreja Rajh

  37. I want the creamy crowd of my city to have a refreshing cup of coffee everyday. I want to start a starbuck in my city. You may contact me on my e-mail for any Further discussion. My Mail id is tapan.orion@live.com

  38. I am interested to open a Starbucks in India , Gujarat . Do you guys have some ideas how to contact the management or maybe what is the first step to process?

  39. We live in Pikeville ky, which is home to upike (major college) and Pikeville medical center one of the largest hospitals in eastern US. The closest Starbucks is about 2hours away I think you base location on population but more people past thru this town daily than they live here

  40. I would like to know who to contract to open STARBUCKS COFFEE store in urumqi china please send back email please .( for muslim). Thank you .

  41. We would like to open a Starbucks coffee store in our hotel in jaipur rajasthan. This hotel is again managed by a international brand and its on market driven. we have a perfect outlet space for the store. In case anyone can help us for this would be very grateful. Do let me know if you required any further information.

  42. I’m arnulfo and would like to open a Starbucks in a border town were the there is no Starbucks on either side of the border of USA and MEX. thx

  43. I love Starbucks, it is more than coffee. I love to open one in Iraqi Kurdistan. This can be a step forward because Kurdish people love American touches in their places. How can I get a reply from Starbucks on this. I know this is not an official Starbucks site but you may help me with this.

  44. HEY.HAPPY NEW YEAR FOR ALL OF YOU))HAVE the same idea above to opening STARBUCKS coffe in LATVIA.IF someone want to share whit me ideas above very welcome!!!

  46. I WANT TO OPEN A STARBUCKS STORE IN ONTARIO CANADA, NUT I DON’T KNOW HOW TO APPLY AND START FROM WHERE? IF WHO KNOW PLEASE GIVE ME IDEA. THANKS

  47. I AM LIVING IN MISSISSAUGA , I WOULD OPEN STARBUCKS STORE, i WOULD OPEN ON MISSISSAUGA, BRAMPTON, GUELPH, GEORGETOWN, , PLEASE GIVE ME IDEA TO SET UP IT, BUT I DON’T KNOW HOW TO CONNECT THEM.
    THANKS

  48. What exactly occurs once a license is purchased? I have been interested for a year now. I believe I have two great possibilities and do I get input in these locations?

  49. I live in Bloemfontein, which is the capital of the Free State. Bloemfontein is a hub of business, students, families and sports teams. With airports and malls, Starbucks would do really well in Bloemfontein. Especially with the delivery to local businesses.

    Bloemfontein will serve as a viable solution to your footprint and expanding the brand.

  52. I’m interested to open a store at Kathmandu, Nepal. Can you please provide the process to get license or open a store overseas?

    Regards,
    Andy

  54. Hello I am jeet shah from India I stay in Gujarat. I want to introduce starbucks in Ahmedabad I just want to the terms and condition and what is required to open it

  55. I wanna open starbucks in nepal. We dont have even one coffee shop of starbucks.. All of us has only heard about this and somehow some people tasted it abroad. I wanna make this dream of thousands of people come alive. Plz tell me the procedure.

  56. I have a loction thats perfect for starbucks can you starbucks email me i want to do any type of deal with you to get it started

  57. Hello, I want to introduce Starbucks in Karachi, Pakistan. There is no Starbucks in Pakistan. This will be the great opportunity to grow this business as the people love Starbucks.
    Kindly tell me the requirements and terms.
    Regards

  58. Hi,we have a location in Albuquerque,New mexico.its right after the i-40 freeway and carlisle.Its a pretty busy intersection and there is no starbuks location in the carlisle street.i was wondering if starbuks wanted to open a location.
    Please get back whenever you get a chance.Im not a broker,Im the land owner.
    Number is 505 550 4718.

  59. Hi good day .
    I would like to know if there is a possibility of opening local starbucks in Asuncion Paraguay.
    From now thanks

  60. I would like to open a Starbucks in Monterey Park California, any info to get it going would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

  61. Hello,
    I am interested in opening licensed Starbacks shop in Kharkiv, Ukraine.
    What requirements do I have to meet? What should be my next step in order to start working with you?
    Thank you for your attention to my question.

  62. I’m Interested to be part of Starbucks by opening a store can you what is the step to follow up thanks.

  63. Would you please provide me some info on opening a Starbuck coffee shop in Azle TX?
    Is nothing in the area and I already picked up the location with an excellent spot.

    R/

    Emilian

  65. Dear,
    I am extremely interested in joining the Starbucks family by opening a Starbucks licensed store in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. Oyuny Undra Group is one of the biggest groups in Mongolia. I have included our website, please review all. I look forward to hearing from you.

    Best Regards,
    Bat-Oyun

  67. I would like to open a Starbucks store in Halifax, Canada. I wonder how can I apply for it? I really appreciate for any advices. Thanks.

  68. Hello sir / ma’am, I am saahith i am from india i stay in Hyderabad i wanted to open a store in gsm mall ( hyd ) . i want the details to open it

  69. Hello Sir or Madam:

    I would like to know who to contract to open STARBUCKS COFFEE store in india Madhya Pradesh in Indore please send back email please .

  73. I want to open a Starbucks shop in Hyderabad, Pakistan. Any advice on how to make it possible, kindly guide me. Thanks

  74. Hi, I have a location that I
    Just purchased and I think it’s perfect spot for Starbucks coffee. Stand-alone building near downtown Grand Rapids,Michigan.

    If anyone can let me know how to contact them regarding location approval.

    Please email
    Americanpatel1@gmail.com

  75. Hi Starbucks ,
    This is Pretty Preeti,
    I am interested in opening an Starbucks in Jacksonville Florida near by universities location s .
    Please help me with details to get the license and start the business…
    My email id is – pawarpreeti711@gmail.com

    Thank you

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Trending now

Starbucks sign
How to Open a Starbucks franchise: A Practical Step‑by‑Step Guide
white and brown starbucks coffee cup on brown wooden table
Starbucks Caramel Macchiato: How to Make It at Home (Hot or Iced)
Starbucks‑Style Frappuccino Recipe (Base + Easy Variations)
coffee, iced, espresso, iced, espresso, espresso, espresso, espresso, espresso
How to make Iced Coffee