Starbucks Voted America's Most Admired Company in FORTUNE's Food Services Industry; Number One...

Business Editors

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 7, 2001

Starbucks Coffee Company (Nasdaq:SBUX) has clinched the highly coveted number one spot for food services under the consumer products category of FORTUNE's prestigious list of Most Admired Companies in America for the year

Starbucks, which was not ranked in the food services industry last year, joins the list of top U.S. companies in FORTUNE's annual survey of the country's leading businessmen and women. The list of companies included some of the most respected and recognized brand names in the world.

According to FORTUNE, the annual list of America's Most Admired Companies is the definitive report card on corporate reputations. The winners in the annual survey were chosen from the 1,000 largest U.S. companies (ranked by revenues) and the 25 largest U.S. subsidiaries of foreign-owned companies.

"We are extremely honored by this significant industry recognition," said Howard Schultz, chairman and chief global strategist of Starbucks Coffee Company. "This recognition is a huge inspiration to us as it comes at a time when we could not be more pleased with the overall performance of the company domestically and internationally."

Recently, in Japan, Starbucks was listed as one of the top "hit" product brands in Japan for the year 2000 by Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei), Japan's most respected and influential business daily. The Japanese merchandise publication, Mono Magazine, recognized Frappuccino(R) as the Super Goods of the Year 2000 in the food category. Last year, Starbucks was ranked the most preferred restaurant chain in Tokyo, Japan, by Nikkei Restaurants, one of Japan's most far-reaching and highly respected food service industry publications.

Starbucks also received the best product of the year award for 2000 in the latest annual "hit" product contest conducted by Korea's most respected and widely read newspaper, the Joongang Daily Newspaper.

"It is very gratifying for us to receive resounding accolades from all over the world especially when we are still in the very early days of our growth cycle," said Schultz. "I am humbled and amazed by the phenomenal success we have enjoyed in all our international markets, which continues to exceed our expectations and hold enormous growth potential for Starbucks in becoming an enduring, global brand."

Starbucks Coffee Company is the leading retailer, roaster and brand of specialty coffee in the world. In addition to opening retail locations in North America, the United Kingdom, the Pacific Rim and the Middle East, Starbucks sells coffee and tea products through its specialty operations, including its online store at starbucks.com. Additionally Starbucks produces and sells bottled Frappuccino(R) coffee drink and a line of superpremium ice creams through its joint venture partnerships. The Company's other brands enhance the Starbucks Experience through best-of-class products: Tazo Tea Company offers a line of innovative premium teas, and Hear Music produces and distributes a line of exceptional compact discs.

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