The branch that started it all is still active and is located just steps from the Angel of Independence.
Have you ever wondered which country has the most Starbucks?
Since its arrival in 2002, the growth of Starbucks in Mexico has been unstoppable. More than 20 years later, the country has positioned itself as the Latin American country with the most Starbucks stores.
Hand in hand with Alsea, the prestigious coffee shop has known how to understand and adapt to the national market, thus positioning itself among the taste of Mexicans.
The origins of the relationship between the brand and our nation date back to the 90s when the company approached national coffee growers to supply coffee beans to the chain; however, it was not until 2002 that Mexico joined the list of countries with Starbucks thanks to the opening of the first branch on Mexican soil.
Starbucks Mexico chose the country’s capital as the location for the coffee beverage store that would start the story, which is still active at Paseo De La Reforma No. 325. On its walls, it is possible to admire the works of the visual artist, Edgar Saner, who captured part of the local coffee traditions.
Alsea and Starbucks in Mexico
Alsea, a leading restaurant operator in Latin America and Europe, was in charge of bringing the coffee shop to the country.
Starbucks drinks, the innovative concept, as well as the prestige that preceded the brand, helped the company grow and, 20 years after that milestone, continue to be present with approximately 820 units in more than 60 cities in Mexico.
Figures from the operator, which also manages the presence of Starbucks in 11 other countries, show that our country has more branches than the sum of the rest of the units of the nations that make up the Top 5: France (245), Spain (166), Chile (162), Argentina (132), and the Netherlands (101).
Is Mexico One of the Most Important Markets for Starbucks?
According to Statista, as of October 2023, the countries with the most marketing licenses or franchises were: the United States (6,701), South Korea (1,780), the sum of Latin American countries (1,649), the United Kingdom (911), and Turkey (676). The fact that Mexico, five months after the previous period, has close to 820 units, speaks to the importance of the market for the Starbucks brand.
In fact, content creators like Peps Granados have stated that our country has the most branches in Latin America.
Comparing only with the headquarters operated by Alsea such as Starbucks Argentina (132) and Starbucks Colombia (68), or with those registered by Starbucks Brazil at the end of last year (187), Starbucks Mexico is the undisputed leader.
Which is the Most Beautiful Branch?
Although Mexico leads in terms of units, other countries dispute the title for the most beautiful store in the region. For many, the sales point in Antigua Guatemala stands out for its beauty and concept.
On its official portal, Starbucks has highlighted other locations such as Santos Dumont in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; La Lucila in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Hacienda Alsacia in San Luis, Costa Rica; or Blue Mall Punta Cana in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
The Future of Starbucks in Mexico
The story of Starbucks began in 1971 with a coffee shop located in Pike Place Market, Seattle, with the mission of offering the best coffees in the world and unique experiences.
53 years later, they have a presence in more than 80 countries, and Mexico is one of the largest markets.
Source: Emprendedor
