Starbucks licenses stores and uses traditional franchising in selected international markets. The commercial route depends on the country and operating format: a coffeehouse inside an established venue is a different proposition from a multi-store development agreement.
Updated 8 October 2026.
Starbucks franchise or licence: the numbers
At 28 September 2025, Starbucks had 40,990 stores: 21,514 company-operated and 19,476 licensed. Licensed stores represented 48% of the network. Its 2025 annual report includes traditional franchises in a limited number of international markets within that licensed-store category.
Licensees fund the premises and operations. Starbucks earns royalties and margins on products supplied under the agreements. A licence therefore involves an ongoing commercial relationship covering the brand, operating standards and sourcing—not simply permission to put Starbucks above a shop.
Two documented routes for operators
U.S. licensed venues. Starbucks’ 24 March 2026 licensed-business update describes stores in airports, hotels, hospitals, grocery locations and campuses. It is moving from regional management towards a model organised around these venue segments. For an applicant, control of the location and experience serving its customers are central to the proposition.
UK multi-store development. Its 3 March 2026 UK update sets out coordinated development with licensees across drive-through, high-street and neighbourhood formats. Portfolio planning and refurbishment sit alongside new openings. This makes geographic fit and the ability to improve an existing estate commercially relevant, as well as the capital to build stores.
These examples establish real operating models. Rights in a particular country or venue must be checked against existing agreements before a proposal is presented.
Starbucks franchise cost and investment
Starbucks does not publish a single worldwide franchise price in these sources. A credible budget requires the actual licence or franchise terms, approved format and local property costs. Figures quoted for another country or a different venue cannot establish the cost of your project.
- Store capital: lease deposit, fit-out, espresso equipment, water treatment, refrigeration, furniture and systems.
- Opening cash: stock, recruitment, training, pre-opening payroll and a working-capital reserve.
- Contractual costs: royalties, sourcing obligations and any marketing or technology charges specified in the offer.
- Venue costs: concession rent, access restrictions, security requirements and mandated trading hours.
What a serious Starbucks proposal must demonstrate
An airport proposal needs passenger flows and concession rights; a hospital location needs staff, visitor and patient demand; a drive-through needs vehicle access, queue capacity and morning trading evidence. An undifferentiated footfall estimate cannot support all three.
The financial model should connect transactions and average spend to drink preparation capacity, staffing and occupancy costs. For a multi-store proposal, it must also fund the management team and opening sequence. This is where a recognisable brand becomes an investment case that a counterpart can evaluate.
Prepare your Starbucks market-entry proposal
Star Brands Consulting Group prepares the territory assessment, operator profile, site case and financial model for investors seeking a Starbucks operating partnership. We examine the relevant regional relationships and contractual route, then structure a proposal around the investor’s actual capital and operating capabilities.
Request a Starbucks investment assessment. Send your target country, proposed locations, available capital and hospitality or retail track record. Our work establishes the route, funding requirement and partner presentation; Starbucks and its authorised counterparties decide appointments and rights.
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