Starbucks is a dominant force in the coffee industry, maintaining the highest share of the coffee shop market with 40% as of October 2019. Their total net revenue, according to their 2020 annual report, was over $20 billion in 2020.
One thing to keep in mind, however, is that Starbucks is NOT a franchise. The majority of their units are company-owned. That means that earned revenue stays within the company and does not go to outside investors. The rest of their stores are licensed, where outside operators are allowed to use the brand’s trademark and sell their products but are not obligated to follow any specific business plan or rules. In exchange, licensees must pay a royalty fee to the company.
Overall, Starbucks is a very profitable company that operates both company-owned and licensed units. Even though the pandemic did take a toll on their earnings, their quarterly report shows that they were able to make a strong rebound in 2021 and will likely continue to do so.
Although the cost of coffee has increased due to limited supplies, the fact that Starbucks dominates the coffee beverage industry helps mitigate these risks and renders it a strong force in the broader food and beverage industry.