Starbucks Coffee Company is strengthening its position in Latin America with an ambitious goal to reach 1,000 stores in Mexico by 2026, reinforcing its leadership in the global coffee retail market. The announcement, made on International Coffee Day, marks a new phase of growth for the brand in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).
Strategic Expansion Across Latin America
In partnership with its long-standing regional operator Alsea, Starbucks will open 145 new stores across Latin America within the next year, including new locations in Tegucigalpa (Honduras), Guayaquil (Ecuador), Puerto Varas (Chile), and other emerging cities. The company is also unveiling its first community-focused flagship store in El Salvador — Starbucks Casa Bou — designed to celebrate art, culture, and youth empowerment.
According to Ricardo Arias-Nath, Senior Vice President and President of Starbucks Latin America and the Caribbean, this expansion reflects Starbucks’ confidence in the region’s potential.
“Latin America and the Caribbean are central to Starbucks’ story — not only as the origin of much of our coffee but also as one of our most dynamic growth regions,” Arias-Nath said.
Mexico: Starbucks’ Cornerstone Market
Since its debut in Mexico in 2002 through Alsea, Starbucks has become deeply integrated into Mexican urban life. Now the brand’s largest market in Latin America and its seventh-largest worldwide, Mexico continues to play a vital role in Starbucks’ long-term global growth strategy.
By 2026, Starbucks aims to surpass 1,000 stores nationwide, offering local consumers more access to its premium coffeehouse experience and expanding employment opportunities across major cities.
Casa Bou: A Landmark for Art, Youth, and Coffee Culture
Starbucks’ new Casa Bou store in San Salvador’s historic center showcases a next-generation coffeehouse model rooted in community development and sustainability. The store, housed in the restored Antonio Bou Building (1923–1927), features locally inspired architecture and design — blending heritage preservation with the Starbucks Greener Stores Framework.
In partnership with Glasswing International and The Museum of Art of El Salvador (MARTE), Casa Bou will host art workshops, mentorship programs, and exhibitions to empower local youth and artists. The Starbucks Foundation also awarded a $15,000 Global Community Impact Grant to support creative education initiatives.
Sustainability and Local Sourcing at the Core
Every new Starbucks store in Latin America is built under the Greener Stores Framework, advancing goals to reduce carbon emissions, water consumption, and waste. More than 400 Greener Stores now operate in 25 Latin American markets.
In El Salvador, Starbucks has achieved 100% renewable electricity use across its portfolio and incorporated locally sourced materials, stained glass art, and hand-painted murals in Casa Bou’s interior — a tangible reflection of its sustainability and cultural values.
Celebrating Five Decades of Coffee Heritage
Starbucks’ relationship with El Salvador’s coffee farmers dates back over 50 years. Beans from regions like Apaneca-Ilamatepec and Ahuachapán were among the first sold at the original Pike Place store in Seattle. Today, Starbucks continues to support Latin American coffee growers through initiatives such as “One Tree for Every Bag,” which has distributed over 90 million climate-resilient coffee trees in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico.
Growth with Purpose
Starbucks currently operates more than 1,800 stores across 26 Latin American markets, supported by 10 licensed business partners and 24,000 employees. Its expansion across the region demonstrates a commitment to sustainable growth, local empowerment, and cultural connection — core values that have shaped its global success.
Conclusion: Starbucks Reinforces Its Global Vision Through Regional Empowerment
Starbucks’ bold plan to reach 1,000 stores in Mexico by 2026 is more than a business expansion — it’s a reaffirmation of the company’s belief in the power of coffee to connect communities. Through initiatives like Casa Bou, the brand is redefining the modern coffeehouse as a space for culture, sustainability, and opportunity.
For global investors and entrepreneurs, Starbucks’ expansion model across Latin America underscores the strength of its licensed and franchise partnerships, combining local insight with global brand excellence.
At Star Brands Consulting Group, we continue to track Starbucks’ strategic growth as part of our broader mission to help franchise investors identify opportunities with proven global brands and high regional demand potential.