When Starbucks began operations in 1971, less than 2% of American coffee drinkers were purchasing specialty coffees. Today, 61% of all coffee beverages consumed in the United States are for the purchase of specialty coffees.
For the past 30 years, we have jumped on Starbucks caboose and have gone along for the ride. During these past two decades plus, we have placed thousands of super-automatic specialty coffee bars into virtually every type of business throughout the United States.