Since its inception in 1971, Starbucks Corporation has been a roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the United States. Based in Tucson, Ariz., the firm produces a range of branded consumer products, such as ready to drink beverages, packaged coffees and premium ice creams, among others. Its brand portfolio features Starbucks Coffee, Tazo Tea, Seattle s Best Coffee and Torrefazione Italia Coffee. The firm operates over16, 635 stores of which 7,803 are licensed stores functioning throughout 50 countries.