Starbucks marks 25 years in Korea, with over 23,000 green apron partners (employees) delivering the iconic Starbucks Experience in over 1,900 stores

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Starbucks Korea marks its 25th anniversary with the unveiling of its ninth community store, the Hwangudan Community Store in Jung-gu, Seoul, dedicated to preserving national heritage. The company also announced plans to donate 1 billion KRW (approximately US$720,000) over the next five years for the preservation of national heritage in partnership with Korea Heritage Service and the National Trust for Cultural Heritage. This builds on the 1.1 billion KRW (approximately US$800,000) donated by Starbucks Korea for cultural heritage protection since 2015.

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Among the first international coffee companies to introduce Koreans to a new style of café culture when it first entered the market in 1999, Starbucks in South Korea has become a unique third place for uplifting human connections. With more than 23,000 green apron partners (employees) delivering the iconic Starbucks Experience in over 1,900 stores across 82 cities, Korea is the fourth largest market for Starbucks globally today, surpassed only by the U.S., China, and Japan.

Starbucks entered the market in 1999 with its licensee partner E-Mart Inc. (Shinsegae Group). Since then, Starbucks Korea has played an important role in introducing a new style of café culture – a third place – turning coffee shops into places to work, study, socialize, and connect. Today, over 23,000 green apron partners (employees) are delivering the iconic Starbucks Experience in over 1,900 stores across 82 cities in Korea.

“The story of Starbucks in Korea is one that is deeply linked with our longstanding partnership with the Shinsegae Group who has been instrumental in delivering the Starbucks promise to our customers, partners, communities, and the environment,” said Emmy Kan, president, Starbucks Asia Pacific. “We are proud of all that we have accomplished together in Korea, where we continue to elevate coffee culture, reimagine the third place and iconic Starbucks experience for our customers and communities.”

Celebrating 25 years of coffee and connections in Korea

Since entering the market, Starbucks Korea is dedicated to digital innovation and has consistently delivered exciting firsts for the brand. Korea was the launchpad for Starbucks Mobile Order and Pay system, Siren Order, as well as the introduction of Starbucks app integration on wearable devices across Asia. The market also played a pivotal role in the shift to cashless operations, with the successful pilot of a cashless store model outside of the United States. Learnings from these pioneering programs in Korea have since influenced and supported programs across Starbucks globally.

Beyond digital innovation, Starbucks Korea has also demonstrated a deep commitment to nurturing partners and uplifting local communities through thoughtful and impactful initiatives. Since the program began in 2015, the Starbucks Korea College Achievement Plan has enabled over 400 partners to earn bachelor's degrees, empowering them with the tools to achieve their professional aspirations. Furthermore, the company partners with local government bodies to establish and operate 14 neighborhood cafés managed by local welfare centers and non-profits, providing support ranging from barista training to construction.

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The company also makes significant contribution to Starbucks Environmental Promise to give more than it takes. Starbucks Korea was recently awarded the prestigious Presidential Award for Environmental Conservation from the Ministry of Environment in Korea for its continuous efforts to reduce waste, promote reusable practices, and implement innovative recycling solutions. Since 2013, the company has prevented the use of more than 150 million disposable cups over the past 17 years.

A third place that strengthens communities

Starbucks Korea has always been committed to the Community Store program, distinguishing itself in Asia Pacific as the market with the highest number of Community Stores in the region. Community Stores are at the heart of Starbucks mission to nurture the limitless possibilities of human connection – they are purpose-defined to better support partners, customers, and the local communities they service to drive meaningful change and lasting connections.

The newly opened ninth Community Store reflects Starbucks community promise in action. &nbsp;“We are constantly seeking new ways to bring the Starbucks Experience to our customers and fulfill the needs of our community. With the opening of our ninth Community Store, we hope to further expand the series of activities that Starbucks has carried out over the past decade for cultural heritage preservation,” said Ryan Sohn, ceo of Starbucks Korea. “We will continue to raise awareness of national heritage preservation across the company and create more opportunities for engagement in these meaningful activities.”

The store features replicas of two historic calligraphy pieces donated by Starbucks Korea to the National Trust for Cultural Heritage. Demonstrating Starbucks community promise in action, a portion of proceeds from Starbucks Hwangudan – 300 KRW (approximately US$0.22) per item – combined with proceeds from special national heritage preservation products created by Starbucks, will also be donated to support the preservation of national heritage.

“With nine Community Stores across the market, supporting causes from inclusion to youth employment, and community development, Starbucks Korea has raised the bar in innovation with an impact,” said Brady Brewer, ceo of Starbucks International. “We are proud to continue supporting initiatives that preserve local and national heritage, celebrating the rich cultural legacy of Korea.”

To celebrate this milestone anniversary with customers across Korea, Starbucks will feature special offerings for a limited time.

Customers will be able to enjoy global-inspired beverages, including the London Fog Tea Latte, French Vanilla Latte and the Melon of Melon Frappuccino® Blended Beverage. The eagerly awaited Oleato™ Golden Foam Iced Shaken Espresso with Hazelnut will also be available to customers across all Starbuck stores starting July 19. To encourage sustainable behaviors, customers will be able to buy three beverages – Caffe Americano, Caffe Latte and Caramel Macchiato – at their original prices in 1999, when they purchase a reusable cup.

Starbucks Korea also launched a limited-edition 25th anniversary merchandise collection sporting the heritage logo, including mugs, tumblers, and a big Bearista Bear for the occasion. Customers can also purchase exclusive merchandise made in collaboration with Bernardaud and Bialetti.

Starbucks celebrates 25 years of coffee, connections and community in Korea : Starbucks Stories Asia

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Starbucks Stories Asia

Starbucks celebrates 25 years of coffee, connections and community in Korea

Starbucks marks 25 years in Korea, with over 23,000 green apron partners (employees) delivering the iconic Starbucks Experience in over 1,900 stores

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2024/starbucks-celebrates-25-years-of-coffee-connections-and-community-in-korea/

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Starbucks Korea has been awarded the prestigious Presidential Award for Environmental Conservation for its outstanding contributions to environmental conservation, the highest corporate honor bestowed on organizations in the country. The award was presented at the annual Environment Day ceremony in Yongin, Seoul.

The Ministry of Environment recognized a total of 35 individuals and organizations, including companies, schools, and civic groups, for their efforts in environmental preservation. Starbucks Korea excelled out, earning the top accolade - the Presidential Award.

"We are honored to be recognized through the Presidential Citation on Environment Day," said Starbucks Korea CEO, Ryan Sohn. "Starbucks will continue to enhance customer participation in sustainable practices through various eco-friendly efforts."

Starbucks Korea has been proactively participating in the Ministry of Environment's Voluntary Agreement to reduce disposable items since 2013. Through this initiative, the company has saved more than 150 million disposable cups over the past 17 years.

Building on this success, Starbucks Korea recently signed an agreement with the Ministry of Environment to further promote the use of reusable cups. The company also plans to install tumbler washing machines in all its stores by 2026, making it even easier for customers to embrace sustainable practices.

Starbucks Korea's commitment to sustainability extends beyond its cup initiatives and the "Reusable (No Disposable) Cup Day" campaign, held on the 10th of each month since 2018 is a nationwide initiative that encourages customers to use reusable cups in all Starbucks stores, fostering a culture of environmental stewardship.

The company’s commitment to sustainability has extended to its product offerings with the recent introduction of coffee ground trays, the first recycled resource product certified by the Korea Environmental Industry and Technology Institute under the Ministry of Environment. These trays incorporate 20% coffee grounds, the equivalent of 12 tall-sized Americanos.

This prestigious recognition underscores the company’s unwavering commitment to the Starbucks Environmental Promise to ‘Give more than we take’. Starbucks Korea’s continuous efforts to reduce waste, promote reusable practices, and implement innovative recycling solutions are a testament to its commitment to creating a greener future.

Starbucks Korea Receives Presidential Award for Environmental Conservation : Starbucks Stories Asia

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Starbucks Korea Receives Presidential Award for Environmental Conservation

Starbucks Korea has been awarded the prestigious Presidential Award for Environmental Conservation for its outstanding contributions to environmental conservation, the highest corporate honor bestowed on organizations in the country.

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2024/starbucks-korea-receives-presidential-award-for-environmental-conservation/

Starbucks Korea is teaming up with K-pop band NCT, part of the SM Entertainment family, for an exclusive collaboration from May 30 to July 4. Starbucks and NCT will unveil an exciting lineup of co-branded products and experiences that are sure to delight passionate NCTzens (the dedicated NCT fan base) as well as Starbucks customers across Korea.

This collaboration with NCT is a promotion exclusive to Korea and features a new beverage available for a limited time, 'Neo Cool Tasty Plum Fizzio,' enhancing the collaboration by incorporating NCT into the name of the beverage.

'Neo Cool Tasty Plum Fizzio' is a carbonated drink in the color of pearl neo champagne, NCT's official color, enhanced with pink heart-shaped konjac toppings for added visual appeal and texture. The calorie content is under 100kcal (based on grande size), allowing customers to enjoy a delicious local plum beverage lightly during the summer.

Along with the beverage, a new food menu 'Neo Croissant Turntable,' which also includes NCT in its name, will also be launched. Available in plain and grapefruit honey flavors, this food is layered like a kouign-amann, flattened, and packaged like a retro-styled record album.

To celebrate the collaboration with NCT from May 30 to June 3, bundle purchase of Neo Cool Tasty Plum Fizzio and Neo Croissant Turntable will be available for a discounted price of 12,700 won.

The collaboration features a variety of merchandise perfect for concerts and daily use, including 'NCT Concert Bag' adaptable as a backpack or tote bag, 'NCT Bearista Doll Keyring' which can be used as a decoration on cheering sticks or bags, and even as a hair tie.

Furthermore, exclusive online merchandise such as 'NCT Photo Card Holder Keyring' that can be attached to bags, 'NCT Removable Sticker Set,' and a Starbucks card featuring both Starbucks and NCT logos will be available.

Chief Marketing Officer at Starbucks Korea, Kim Beom-su, stated, "We plan to delight customers who love Starbucks and NCT through our diverse collaborative products. As this is a collaboration with the global K-pop group NCT, we will try our best to enhance convenience and satisfaction for our customers."

Starbucks Korea teams up with NCT to bring the summer fizz : Starbucks Stories Asia

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Starbucks Korea teams up with NCT to bring the summer fizz

Starbucks Korea is teaming up with K-pop band NCT, part of the SM Entertainment family, for an exclusive collaboration from May 30 to July 4. Starbucks and NCT will unveil an exciting lineup of co-branded products and experiences that are sure to delight passionate NCTzens (the dedicated NCT fan base) as well as Starbucks customers […]

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2024/starbucks-korea-teams-up-with-nct-to-bring-the-summer-fizz/

Starbucks Korea marks the 10th year of its partnership with JA Korea in providing career education. Since the program began in 2015, over 1,900 Starbucks partners have volunteered after completing specialized training courses. These volunteers have visited approximately 546 vocational high schools nationwide, serving as career mentors to over 18,000 students.

Celebrating a decade of its career education program, Starbucks Korea resumed its in-person opportunity fair aimed at vocational high school students to improve youth employment opportunities. The event, which took place on April 30, welcomed 300 students from 27 vocational high schools across Seoul and the Gyeonggi region. This marked a return to an in-person format following the switch to online events during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The opportunity fair provided a variety of hands-on sessions designed to assist the students in their job-seeking activities after graduation. These sessions were made possible by a portion of profits from the <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2024/starbucks-korea-announces-its-8th-community-store-to-bolster-youth-employment-initiatives/">Jongno R Community Store</a>. Activities included resume review, photo shoots, personalized image consulting for interview preparation, and barista experience activity.

The fair also featured presentation skills training to enhance the students' employment capabilities and facilitate job connections, including a "Starbucks Barista Mock Interview" led by regional district managers, a coffee seminar by Starbucks coffee ambassador, and career counseling provided by Starbucks store managers and district managers.

Starbucks Korea plans to continue hosting opportunity fairs throughout the second half of the year and will simultaneously conduct career education activities from May to September in six cities nationwide, including Seoul, Busan, and Jeju, targeting around 1,000 students. To date, Starbucks Korea has employed 401 baristas who connected through the opportunity fair. Kim Ji-young, head of Starbucks Korea's ESG team, stated, “It is meaningful to participate in the career education and future preparation of our youth. We will continue to provide assistance through various volunteer activities, ensuring that young people can experience the joy of employment success.” In January 2024, Starbucks Korea signed an agreement with JA Korea to further promote youth employment through education and barista recruitment programs. The Jongno R store, Starbucks Korea’s 8th Community Store, was opened as part of this initiative. For every item purchased at the store, 300 won is donated to support youth employment.

Starbucks Korea celebrates a decade supporting youth with JA Korea : Starbucks Stories Asia

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Starbucks Korea celebrates a decade supporting youth with JA Korea

Starbucks Korea marks the tenth year of its partnership with JA Korea in delivering career education. Since the program began in 2015, over 1,900 Starbucks partners have volunteered after completing specialized training courses. These volunteers have visited approximately 546 vocational high schools nationwide, serving as career mentors to over 18,000 students.

https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/sites/29/2024/05/Korea-April30_Opportunity-Fair-with-JA-2-1024x683.jpg

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2024/starbucks-korea-celebrates-decade-supporting-youth-with-ja-korea/

With spring in full bloom, here is a roundup of four must-visit Starbucks® stores across Asia, where you can enjoy your favorite spring beverage while admiring the cherry blossoms.

China Mainland Market - Starbucks Siping Road, Shanghai

Located on Siping Road – a cherry-blossom road in Hongkou District, the store is famous for its quiet and beautiful environment. During spring, lush cherry blossoms stretch the entire block.

Japan Market – Starbucks Reserve® Roastery Tokyo

The springtime celebration of cherry blossoms, called sakura, has been an annual tradition in Japan for centuries, a time of optimism and renewal. What better place to begin our tour than at the Starbucks Reserve® Roastery Tokyo.

South Korea Market - Starbucks Jinhae Gyeonghwa Station Drive-thru, Changwon

Located in Changwon City, Gyeongsangnam-do, where the Jinhae Gunhangje Cherry Blossom Festival, the largest cherry blossom festival in the country is held, the store offers a breathtaking view of cherry blossoms along the Gyeonghwa Station Cherry Blossom Road through its wide windows. The two-story standalone building, designed in cream and wood tones, harmonizes with the surrounding landscape, becoming a notable spot for cherry blossom season.

Taiwan Market – Starbucks Grass Mountain, Taipei

Starbucks Grass Mountain is a cozy wooden cottage in Yangminshan National Park. The outdoor seating area offers views of the cherry blossoms and natural landscape while you enjoy your favorite beverage.

Four Starbucks stores to visit during cherry blossom season : Starbucks Stories Asia

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Four Starbucks stores to visit during cherry blossom season

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2024/four-starbucks-stores-to-visit-during-cherry-blossom-season/

Starbucks Korea has joined forces with Kakao Friends to launch the adorable 'Ryan &amp; Choonsik' merchandise collection. 

Following the success of last year's collaboration, this second release of products aims to capture hearts with its enchanting storytelling and irresistible charm. Say hello to the 'My Buddy Series' featuring delightful tumblers, keychains, sticker sets, and pen sets that will add a touch of fun to your daily routine.

From March 7 to April 10, Starbucks Korea will introduce a total of 12 merchandise items from the new 'My Buddy' series at Starbucks stores nationwide and on the Starbucks app online store. This exciting collection showcases the beloved Kakao Friends characters, 'Ryan' and 'Choonsik', on a range of practical items suitable for everyday use.&nbsp; This year's collaboration welcomes the lovable 'Ryan' to join the fun. The expanded collection now offers even more options, including a laptop stand that can be attached to a notebook, a pen set with a stamp, and a variety of stickers.

One of the highlights of the collection is the 'My Buddy Ryan Laptop Stand', designed to attach to the back of a laptop with adjustable height in two levels. This practical accessory enhances the usability and convenience of your everyday digital devices. Additionally, the 'My Buddy Choonsik &amp; Ryan Multi Cable Pouch' provides a stylish solution for storing laptop chargers, wireless earphones, and portable batteries, ensuring you stay organized on the go.

Starbucks Korea is excited to make the 'My Buddy' series products more accessible to customers. In addition to the Starbucks app online store, the items will be available for purchase in Starbucks stores nationwide, expanding the options for customers to get their hands on these limited-edition treasures. Don't miss out on the chance to bring home your favorite 'Ryan &amp; Choonsik' merchandise!

Kim Beom-su, Chief of Marketing at Starbucks Korea, expressed his excitement about the collaboration, saying, "Through the 'Choonsik' and 'Ryan' series with Kakao Friends, we hope that customers visiting Starbucks will experience unique fun." He added, "We plan to continue offering a wide range of enjoyment through the release of various collaboration products."

Get ready to embark on a whimsical adventure with Ryan, Choonsik, and Starbucks Korea. The 'Ryan &amp; Choonsik' merchandise collection will be available from March 7. Add a touch of magic to your daily life!

Spread the magic with Starbucks Korea and Kakao Friends : Starbucks Stories Asia

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Spread the magic with Starbucks Korea and Kakao Friends

Starbucks Korea has joined forces with Kakao Friends to launch the adorable 'Ryan & Choonsik' merchandise collection.

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2024/spread-the-magic-with-starbucks-korea-and-kakao-friends/

Supporting Starbucks partners bridge to a better future through education

On February 17, Starbucks celebrated the graduation of 46 partners (employees) who earned their bachelor’s degrees with Hanyang Cyber University as part of the Starbucks Korea College Achievement Plan. More than 400 partners have graduated from the program since its inception in 2016.

Scarlet, shift supervisor at Starbucks Mokdong, a graduate in Hotel and Food Service Management and recipient of the Academic Achievement Award said, “I applied because I wanted to pursue personal development in my own time after my scheduled work shift. It was great to be able to study without constraints of time and space, making it possible to continue even when I moved to a new location.”

Since 2016, Starbucks Korea has partnered with Hanyang Cyber University to support partners in pursuing higher education and earning their degrees.

Starbucks partners enrolled at Hanyang Cyber University are entitled to free tuition support. There is no obligation for them to stay at Starbucks after graduation. Full tuition support is provided to all students during the first semester. From the second semester, students who achieve an average grade of “B” or higher will be eligible for a scholarship to cover full tuition.

“Working at Starbucks, where I meet many people daily, I wanted to study the ‘human mind’. With the knowledge I gained, I want to embrace both partners and customers,” said Jade, shift supervisor at Starbucks Juan, a graduate with a degree in Psychology Counseling

Starbucks Korea and Hanyang Cyber University also offer the Coffee Journey Program to partners with exceptional academic records. This program allows them to learn about the latest coffee trends and expand their horizons by visiting Starbucks stores overseas. Partners can visit the iconic Starbucks Roasteries in Shanghai and Tokyo, and the Asia Pacific Starbucks office in Hong Kong to gain first-hand experience of the global coffee trends in the region.

“I am proud of the partners who have dedicated themselves to their studies with a passion for learning,” said Ryan Sohn, ceo of Starbucks Korea. “We will actively support the career development of partners who are doing their best to achieve their dreams through the Hanyang Cyber University bachelor's degree support program (Starbucks Korea College Achievement Plan).”

Over 400 partners earned their bachelor’s degrees through Starbucks Korea College Achievement Plan : Starbucks Stories Asia

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Over 400 partners earned their bachelor’s degrees through Starbucks Korea College Achievement Plan

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2024/over-400-partners-earned-their-bachelors-degrees-through-starbucks-korea-college-achievement-plan/

The 'STARBUCKS STAR★LIGHT' NFT project encourages customers to use personal cups to unlock limited edition NFTs through the collection of Eco stamps on their Starbucks® Rewards accounts

Today, Starbucks Korea announced the launch of its NFT (Non-Fungible Token) project, 'STARBUCKS STAR★LIGHT', the first of its kind for the company in Asia, encouraging customers to incorporate the use of personal cups into their daily lives by offering limited edition NFTs as rewards.

As part of the innovation to enhance the digital experience in the Starbucks® Rewards loyalty program for Starbucks customers, the collectable digital artwork (NFTs) will bring a new and unique feature for Starbucks® Rewards members.

Starting from January 16th, Starbucks will introduce ‘STARBUCKS STAR★LIGHT,’ gifting Starbucks NFTs to Starbucks® Rewards customers who order beverages via Siren Order (mobile order) using their personal cups, earning one Eco Stamp per purchase. Once enough Eco stamps have been collected, the stamps can be exchanged for NFTs. Customers can collect a maximum of three Eco stamps per day, and there are three tiers of collectible NFTs that can be redeemed. At the 'BASIC NFT' tier, customers can redeem one NFT for five Eco Stamps. Collecting fifteen Eco Stamps will unlock a limited edition 'CREATIVE NFT' with a total of 20,000 copies available. And accumulating twenty Eco Stamps will grant access to a limited edition 'ARTIST NFT', limited to 1,000 copies.*

The NFTs are designed in collaboration with Korea's largest digital art platform 'Print Bakery', featuring the works of many local artists and artist 'DADAZ', and they are designed to showcase diverse digital artwork based on the concept of ‘My Own Cup, featuring reusable cups and tumblers.*

To celebrate the launch of 'STARBUCKS STAR★LIGHT', an exhibition featuring the NFT artworks from local Korean artists will be showcased at Starbucks® Jongno R store in Seoul until the end of January. The exhibition showcases Starbucks' commitment to sustainable, eco-friendly practices alongside the featured NFT artworks.

"We hope that customers visiting Starbucks will integrate the use of personal cups into their daily lives and enjoy the unique experience of owning their very own NFT,” said Ryan Sohn, ceo of Starbucks Korea. “Starbucks Korea will continue to introduce a variety of promotions to offer our customers an array of eco-friendly benefits. "

*Only one NFT can be issued per account, customers need to collect the required number of Eco Stamps to obtain their desired NFT. For instance, once a customer receives a 'BASIC NFT' with 5 Eco Stamps, obtaining NFTs of other levels will not be possible.

* The functionality of the Starbucks NFTs will be limited, with restrictions on gifting, selling, or trading.

Starbucks Korea announces new NFT project - 'STARBUCKS STAR★LIGHT', the first of its kind for Starbucks in Asia : Starbucks Stories Asia

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Starbucks Korea announces new NFT project &#8211; &#8216;STARBUCKS STAR★LIGHT&#8217;, the first of its kind for Starbucks in Asia

The 'STARBUCKS STAR★LIGHT' NFT project encourages customers to use personal cups to unlock limited edition NFTs through the collection of Eco stamps on their Starbucks® Rewards accounts

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2024/starbucks-korea-announces-new-nft-project-starbucks-star-light-the-first-of-its-kind-for-starbucks-in-asia/

Starbucks Korea announces new NFT project – ‘STARBUCKS STAR★LIGHT’, the first of its kind for Starbucks in Asia

Starbucks Korea dedicated Starbucks Jongno R as its eighth Community Store, marking a continued commitment to enhance youth employment, on January 9th. A portion of proceeds from this store will be donated to Junior Achievement Korea (JA Korea) to create pathways to opportunities for young people.&nbsp;

Lee Eun-Hyung, CEO of JA Korea, stated, "I am delighted to join Starbucks Korea in this meaningful community store project, a step forward from our eight-year collaboration in youth skill-building program," and " we are committed to making the 8th Community Store a beacon of hope for young people in the local community.”

Ryan Sohn, CEO of Starbucks Korea, said, "This collaboration, which now extends to include vocational high school students and other young community members in need, represents a significant expansion of our youth employment support efforts. We are dedicated to empowering more youth through this new Community Store, helping them to design and grow a bright future.”

The Starbucks skill-building education programs operated with JA Korea will be expanded from teenagers to include community college students and underserved groups in various regions. The program will also include Opportunity Fairs, offering lectures and experiential learning programs including resume photo shooting, personal assessment, barista job counseling, and mock interviews.

Partnering since 2015, Starbucks and JA Korea have jointly developed career education and employment programs, impacting over 20,000 vocational high school students nationwide. This partnership has enabled 470 youth to embark on careers as Starbucks baristas.

Starbucks Korea announces its eighth Community Store to bolster youth employment initiatives : Starbucks Stories Asia

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Starbucks Korea announces its eighth Community Store to bolster youth employment initiatives

Starbucks Korea dedicated Starbucks Jongno R as its eighth Community Store, marking a continued commitment to enhance youth employment, on January 9th. A portion of proceeds from this store will be donated to Junior Achievement Korea (JA Korea) to create pathways to opportunities for young people.

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2024/starbucks-korea-announces-its-8th-community-store-to-bolster-youth-employment-initiatives/

Starbucks Korea announced its new Community Store Jeju Sehwa Drive-Thru branch located in Gujwa-eup, Jeju City, on November 6th. A portion of proceeds from the store will be donated to the K-Green Foundation to support the local community and raise greater awareness for sustainable practices.

In February 2023, Starbucks Korea held a contest with the Korea National Council on Social Welfare to identify programs to support through Community Stores. The K-Green Foundation was one of the final nonprofit organizations (NGO) selected by Starbucks partners (employees) and customers. As part of the Community Store program, Starbucks Korea will collaborate with the NGO to carry out eco-friendly programs engaging the local community and creating economic opportunities in Jeju, as well as campaigns encouraging sustainable practices across Korea.

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In celebration of the new Community Store dedication, Starbucks Korea signed a partnership agreement with the K-Green Foundation at Starbucks Jeju Sehwa Drive-Thru. &nbsp;The agreement signing ceremony was attended by Ryan Sohn, CEO of Starbucks Korea, Teayoung Jung, director of the K-Green Foundation, and Starbucks Korea partners.

As part of the agreement, Starbucks Korea will donate up to 100 million KRW (approximately $76,000 USD) annually from a portion of proceeds from the store. The donation will support various eco-friendly activities, including volunteer activities for Starbucks partners and customers, environment-related workshops, upcycling of Starbucks coffee bean packages, and creating more economic opportunities for underserved groups in the local community.

Teayoung Jung, director of the K-Green Foundation, stated, "Starbucks Community Store will not only return benefits to the local community but will also become a space for communicating important issues and a central point for solving local, people, and social problems." He added, “I am especially delighted in K-Green Foundation’s participation in the Starbucks Community Store project with an environmental theme in beautiful Jeju.”

Ryan Sohn, CEO of Starbucks Korea, said, "I hope that the sustainable practices in Jeju will be expanded across Korea through valuable support contributed by our customers at our seventh Community Store. We will continue our efforts to support the communities we serve in meaningful ways through our Community Stores."

Starbucks Korea also plans on carrying out eco-friendly campaigns to raise greater awareness for sustainable practices, such as encouraging reusable cups, creating environmental workshops and more.

Starting with the opening of the first Community Store, Daehakro branch in 2014, Starbucks Korea has introduced Community Stores at its Seongsu Station branch (2020), Seoul National University Dental Hospital branch (2021), Juksun branch (2022), Kyungdong 1960 branch (2022), and Dongnimmun Station branch (2023), engaging in social impact programs for mutual growth with local communities.

Based on these activities, the cumulative donations to partner organizations through Community Stores from 2014 to the present amount to 3.3 billion KRW (approximately $2.5 million USD).

Following the agreement signing ceremony, Starbucks Korea partners and the K-Green Foundation conducted the first eco-friendly activity of the new Community Store at Sehwa Beach.

Starbucks Korea opens its seventh Community Store : Starbucks Stories Asia

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Starbucks Korea opens its seventh Community Store

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2023/starbucks-korea-opens-its-seventh-community-store/

International Coffee Day marks a moment for all coffee lovers to come together, celebrate, learn about, and be inspired by this beloved beverage.

Since it’s the connections between our partners, customers and communities that make this beverage so special, International Coffee Day is the perfect time to learn more about the personal stories behind our partners’ coffee experiences.

Kris Benny Sinuraya, Indonesia

Coffee has been part of Kris Benny Sinuraya’s life for as long as he can remember. Growing up in a coffee farming family in Medan, Sumatra, it’s no surprise that coffee became his passion – one that has only grown since becoming a Starbucks partner.

Now a district coffee master and store manager at the Williem Iskandar Medan store, Kris Benny’s Starbucks career has been full of amazing moments, such as joining 2019’s Sumatra Origin Experience trip – an eye-opening coffee farm experience reserved for Starbucks partners to understand the origin and journey of Starbucks coffee beans. During this trip, he got the chance to visit the Starbucks Farmer Support Center in his home region. “I learned so much and jumped right in to see how the coffee journey happens from seed to cup,” he says. “When the trip finished, I immediately discussed with my family how to implement that knowledge on our coffee farm.”

Beyond that, Kris Benny believes that sharing his knowledge with Starbucks customers and partners is also vital to enhancing the coffee experience. “Ultimately, my goal is to make coffee more than just a daily routine; it’s about a culture of appreciation and connection through this beloved beverage.” For him, that has involved spearheading initiatives like creating coffee seminars and holding talks with the local community.

In that vein, Kris Benny hopes to continue making a difference to the people and future of coffee. “I will advocate for fair wages and better living conditions for coffee farmers and their communities,” he explains. “I also want to share my knowledge about coffee origins, brewing methods and the importance of quality, empowering consumers to make informed choices and appreciate the nuances of coffee. I hope to contribute to a more sustainable, ethical, and inclusive coffee culture that positively impacts both individuals and coffee-producing communities worldwide.”

Vennibell Jotiol, Malaysia

For Vennibell Jotiol, coffee has been “an amazing journey of learning and growth”.

Now a shift manager and coffee master at George Town’s Signing Store Burmah Road, <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2019/career-opportunities-expand-in-malaysia-with-opening-of-new-starbucks-signing-store-in-penang/">Starbucks’ first Signing Store in Penang</a>, Vennibell recalls being shy upon first starting her Starbucks’ journey. However, her confidence soon mounted thanks to the support of her Starbucks partners, who “provided encouragement, mentorship, and a sense of belonging that helped me believe in myself and my abilities”.

Similarly, practicing tasks such as preparing coffees and interacting with customers daily when she was a barista, followed by expanding her knowledge through the coffee master program, further boosted her confidence and expertise. These days she finds herself guiding partners to follow in her footsteps of achieving coffee master status – offering knowledge, training, and support to “create an environment where everyone can grow and develop their coffee skills to the fullest”.

“Coffee has provided me with a means to engage more deeply with both our partners and customers,” Vennibell adds. “I’ve been able to foster stronger connections, meaningful conversations and build a sense of community among us.”

Empowering Deaf partners like herself is a cause particularly close to Vennibell’s heart and she aims to create more opportunities for Deaf partners to enter coffee competitions and showcase their skills to the public. “I hope to break down barriers and stereotypes while fostering inclusivity and equal opportunities,” she explains.

While she’s now in a position to teach others, Vennibell is eager to continue learning and hopes to achieve advanced coffee master certification across various brewing methods. She aspires to then take that knowledge to educate even more Deaf individuals about coffee, enabling them to receive the same level of teaching as hearing individuals. “My goal is to ensure that everyone, regardless of their hearing ability, can fully appreciate and excel in the world of coffee.”

Hangeul Lee, South Korea

“My role in coffee is like a tour guide,” Hangeul Lee enthuses. “I taste various kinds and study coffee from countries all over the world, then I share those experiences with customers. Although I haven’t visited those countries in person, I feel like I’m making a trip there through coffee.”

A shift supervisor and coffee master at <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2021/beautiful-new-starbucks-store-opens-in-south-korea/">Seoul’s Byuldabang store</a> , Hangeul loves exploring the diversity of coffee and passing that knowledge onto customers. Part of delving deeper into coffee’s origins for her coffee master certification meant discovering more about ethical sourcing – information that she is proud to share with Starbucks’ drinkers. “Customers don’t always know how we harvest coffee and how it’s grown, but I want to let them know the importance of fair trade, so that we can be fair to both coffee farms and farmers and help them raise their quality of life.”

Given coffee’s popularity in South Korea – the country ranks second highest in the world for coffee consumption – Hangeul is thrilled to see other sustainable initiatives being adopted by her community. She highlights Starbucks’ introduction of reusable cup programs in South Korea, including at her own Byuldabang branch, with a discount or bonus star offered to customers who bring their own cups.

“Creating eco-friendly stores informs customers about sustainability and resilient coffee supplies,” Hangeul explains. “It provides an option to participate in helping the environment while buying a cup of coffee.”

Tuxsaporn Wattanayotin, Thailand

“It’s not just coffee we serve every day,” says Tuxsaporn Wattanayotin. “Our coffee is something that connects people.”

Having been with Starbucks for 11 years, Tuxsaporn is now an assistant store manager at Chiang Mai’s Ruamchok Mall branch and coffee master who finished runner-up in 2022’s Asia-Pacific Coffee Story Championship. She is passionate about telling customers the story behind their cup of coffee “to inspire them and make them appreciate the people behind it”.

Having grown up in a coffee producing area, she is especially eager to showcase “another side of the story”, telling customers about the farmers who dedicate their lives to growing and developing coffee.

While describing herself as shy, Tuxsaporn has seen her confidence grow through these storytelling moments, saying “I can make a lot of friends through coffee!” She fondly remembers one of her first coffee tastings with a customer, where she deliberately chose to showcase Starbucks’ Muan Jai Blend, which is produced in the area where she grew up.

After relating the farmers’ hard work and how profits from the blend improved their quality of life, she describes how her customer “took a sip and said it was the best cup of coffee they’d ever had”. She continues, “They said it was because the story I told them made the coffee more delicious – and to keep telling this to other customers so they’d know that good coffee makes good things happen for the people that grow it”.

It's this connection between herself, coffee farmers, and customers that Tuxsaporn values most of all. “When customers hear these stories, it’s not just about the taste of the coffee – I can feel the happiness in their hearts.”

Our Journeys Through Coffee: Celebrate International Coffee Day 2023 with four of our Asia-Pacific Partners : Starbucks Stories Asia

https://stories.starbucks.com/uploads/sites/29/2023/09/ICD_2023_2.jpg

Our Journeys Through Coffee: Celebrate International Coffee Day 2023 with four of our Asia-Pacific Partners

International Coffee Day marks a moment for all coffee lovers to come together, celebrate, learn about, and be inspired by this beloved beverage. Learn more about the personal stories behind our partners’ coffee experiences.

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2023/our-journeys-through-coffee-celebrate-international-coffee-day-2023-with-four-of-our-asia-pacific-partners/

Portion of proceeds from store will be donated to provide skills training, career development and academic scholarships for family members of those who served with distinction

The Community Store is a partnership between Starbucks Korea, the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and Korea National Council on Social Welfare

Starbucks Korea inaugurated its Dongnimmun Station store as the sixth Community Store in the market on August 18th, dedicated to creating pathways to opportunities for families of men and women of national merit who served with distinction.

A portion of proceeds from the store will be donated to the Korea National Council on Social Welfare to provide academic scholarships and coffee skills training for underserved youth, who are descendants of men and women of national merit, seeking employment opportunities in the coffee industry. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

In celebration of the new Community Store dedication, Starbucks Korea signed a three-way agreement with the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs and the Korea National Council on Social Welfare. The signing ceremony was attended by:

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As part of the agreement, Starbucks Korea plans to donate a total of 300 million KRW (approximately $224,000 USD) in scholarships over the next three years, while also conducting a coffee skills-training program in partnership with the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs.

The new Community Store, which is located near a historic site, Dongnimmun, features a mural by local artist Lee Eunjoo, honoring the valor and noble spirit of men and women who served the country. There is also a digital community board showcasing various social impact activities by Starbucks Korea to support the local community.

“The support from Starbucks Korea and the Korea National Council on Social Welfare will provide greater stability for the descendants of those who have devoted themselves to serving the country. We will continue our efforts to honor and support this community and hope the interest will spread across our society,” said Park Minshik, minister, Patriots and Veterans Affairs.

“We are pleased to be part of this very meaningful agreement to provide aid for descendants of men and women of national merit. We will focus on developing more innovative social impact models in the future,” said Kim Soung-Yee, president, Korea National Council on Social Welfare.

“This Community Store speaks to our mission to help nurture the limitless possibilities of human connection, as we contribute positively to the community," said Michael Conway, group president, Starbucks International and Channel Development. “We are proud that through this store model, we’re able to create environments for Starbucks partners to connect with, engage and give back to the communities they serve in meaningful ways around the world.”

“We were able to honor the service of men and women who served with distinction by providing academic scholarships to their descendants since 2015 and our new Community Store represents our unwavering commitment and continued support,” said Ryan Sohn, ceo, Starbucks Korea. “Starbucks remains committed to creating more meaningful occasions for our customers and partners through its Community Stores.”

Starbucks Korea opened its <a href="https://stories.starbucks.com/stories/2014/starbucks-opens-first-community-store-in-korea-to-create-pathways-to-opport/">first Community Store</a> in 2014, which supports lifelong skills development for youth through the Starbucks Youth Leadership Program. Today, Starbucks Korea operates 6 Community Stores in the market, and has donated over 3 billion KRW (approximately $2.2 million USD) cumulatively to support local communities. Since entering the market in 1999, Starbucks Korea has grown to be one of the largest markets for Starbucks, with 1,848 stores across 82 cities. Today, more than 23,000 partners (employees) proudly wear the green apron.&nbsp;

Starbucks dedicates its 6th Community Store in South Korea : Starbucks Stories Asia

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Starbucks dedicates its 6th Community Store in South Korea

Portion of proceeds from store will be donated to provide skills training, career development and academic scholarships for family members of those who served with distinction

https://stories.starbucks.com/asia/stories/2023/starbucks-dedicates-its-6th-community-store-in-south-korea/