Starbucks Italy: Coffee Chain Plans Italian Rollout

starbucks rip off in Naples

UPDATE 2017: Starbucks Italy is about to be a reality.

This could be it. 2016 could be the year that Starbucks comes to Italy.

The American chain has been in talks with a Milan-based company to bring the franchise to Italy.  A decision was expected in December 2015 but has finally been announced.  Starbucks had previously determined that the coffee-loving Italian market would probably not buy their oversized and overpriced coffee-like drinks.

However, that has changed – Starbucks sees the Italian market as feasible.

CEO Howard Schultz came to Milan to make the announcement about Starbucks’ Italian rollout himself. (Here are a bunch of photos of him at the Duomo and the Galleria. Oh, plus a press release).

“Starbucks history is directly linked to the way the Italians created and executed the perfect shot of espresso. Everything that we’ve done sits on the foundation of those wonderful experiences that many of us have had in Italy, and we’ve aspired to be a respectful steward of that legacy for 45 years,” said Schultz.

Well? Thoughts? Would you visit Starbucks Italy-style?

Italy starbucks

You won’t have to wait long. The first Starbucks in Italy will open in Milan in early 2017.

I’m not really sure why they feel the need to try to open new stores in Milan… I mean, you can always head to Naples for a Star Best Coffee.

My wish is that the copyright czars never find this little gem!

Star Best over Starbucks any day, thankyouverymuch.

13 thoughts on “Starbucks Italy: Coffee Chain Plans Italian Rollout

  1. Sebastian - CoffeeInRome says:

    Wow, thanks for letting us know. Competition is never a bad thing, even if it means from Starbucks.
    I’m definitely not a proponent of Starbucks, believe me! but, it might help open people’s eyes to different ways coffee can be presented/brewed/etc… so probably not a bad thing in the end.

    thanks for this!
    Sebastian
    🙂

    • Natalie says:

      To me, the issue will be the clash of coffee culture rather than just brewing. The Starbucks experience is really different from the general Roman coffee bar — you are meant to drink large quantities over a long time, rather than take the drink at the banco and leave. I am not sure that will change. However the free wifi might tempt some..

  2. Sophia says:

    Oh the rumor has finally been confirmed! I’m doubtful that Starbucks would make a huge success in Italy given the coffee culture is so strong and particular in the country. And Italians have always been very proud of that (with good reason). Nevertheless, it’s a sensible move to open its first store in Milano (vs. Roma or Napoli!) because it’s probably the most progressive city in Italy where people especially the younger ones might be more open to try new things. Or Starbucks in Italy will be kind of “italianized” to suit the local customs?? Interesting to see how it works out (or not)!

    • Natalie says:

      Yes! I really agree that it will probably appeal to the younger generation and that Milan makes sense from a business perspective. I simple hope that the business does not come at the expense of more traditional Italian bars, which are such a part of the culture here .

  3. Miranda says:

    I’m hoping it will take a veeeeery long time to arrive here in Sicily, if ever. I can’t actually see it happening here, though. Here people go to the coffee bar to meet people, including the people who own and work in the coffee bars, coffee is a very local, social experience. I just don’t see an impersonal franchise working here for this market.
    In larger cities it might work though, even if the general consensus among Sicilians seems to be that any non-Italian coffee is dirty dish water. I’m sure tourists will be tempted to go to what they know, but they’ll be missing out on experiencing a real Italian institution if they do.

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