Starbucks will open its first Italian branch this year – dipping its toe into the home of espresso.
The American coffee shop chain has announced it will be welcoming customers to its new roastery in September, which overlooks Piazza Cordusio in Milan.
With six billion espressos served across bars in the country every year, the firm has their work cut out to the win the favour of the nation’s seasoned coffee-drinkers.
Starbucks will open its first Italian branch this year – dipping its toe into the home of espresso
Reminiscing about his experience of Milan as a young man, Starbucks executive chairman Howard Schultz said: ‘My imagination was captured by Italian coffee.
‘We are not coming here to teach Italians how to make coffee, we’re coming here with humility and respect, to show what we’ve learned.’
Swiss food giant Nestlé has since stepped in to pledge $7.15 billion in cash for the global rights to market Starbucks products outside of the company’s coffee shops.
Nestlé, which owns the Nescafe and Nespresso brands, has a strong presence in Europe but wants to continue its growth in North America.
Starbucks executive chairman Howard Schultz
Starbucks, with its operations based in Seattle, provides Nestlé with the platform they need.
About 500 Starbucks staff will join Nestlé and t
It was hailed a ‘historic’ deal by Starbucks president and CEO Kevin Johnson, who said it would create a ‘global coffee alliance’.
Nestlé CEO Mark Schneider said in a statement: ‘This transaction is a significant step for our coffee business, Nestlé’s largest high-growth category.
‘Both companies have true passion for outstanding coffee and are proud to be recognised as global leaders for their responsible and sustainable coffee sourcing.’
Starbucks has about 29,000 stores worldwide which serve 100 million customers every week, making billions in profits year on year.
Controversy has dogged the coffee giant’s US branches in recent weeks.
The company was accused of racism after two black men were arrested in a Philadelphia branch on April 12 because they bought nothing and refused to leave.
Days later, two hidden cameras were found in the toilets of the Alpharetta branch, seemingly set up to film customers in the cubicles.