Starbucking - The Rules


This page explains the qualifications of what counts as a Starbucks visit and lists stores for which there is a possible uncertainty. I created this page both as an explanation for the media, assuming any media are interested in a story about my 10,000th visit, and also as an aid to myself, to better identify the exact store that is number 10,000.


Rules for Defining a "Real" Store

1. Store must be operated by Starbucks (whether in the United States or abroad) or its primary partner/licensee, or both. In the U.S., stores operated by licensees such as HMS Host, Aramark, or Target do not count. Abroad, stores operated by primary partner/licensee, such as VIPS in Spain or Coffee Cay Ltd in The Bahamas, count, but not stores that are sub-licensed. For example, the Starbucks at the Reef Atlantis on Paradise Island, The Bahamas, is not run by Coffee Cay, but rather licensed to another company, so it doesn't count.

2. The store must be stationary, so the a Starbucks mobile van does not count.

3. In the case of two or more stores in the same shopping center or building, the locations count as separate stores even if there is only one listing on the Starbucks web site or one store number. In at least one case, the U.S. Bank Centre Kiosk, there used to be a listing on the website, but it was removed after many years even though the store is still there. I still count it as a separate location from the main U.S. Bank Centre store. Note that this is one of the reasons for which I can never be sure, without help from Starbucks, that I have actually visited all the stores--there might be unlisted secondary locations (kiosks, for example) in malls or buildings around the country. And, of course, there might be stores that are accidentally omitted from the website.



Rules for Counting a Store Visit

1. Must drink a minimum of 4-oz (sample size) of drip coffee or another caffeinated coffee beverage.

2. Store must be operated in whole or in part by Starbucks or a foreign subsidiary or partner.

3. Store must have officially opened for business.



List of Stores Visited

This is my current list of 9981 stores visited.



Possible Inaccuracies

The store that I declare to be my 10,000th will be my best guess based on the records, photographs, and information from Starbucks that I have collected since 1997. Unfortunately, it will be impossible to be 100% sure that the declared store will be #10,000, for the following reasons.

1. I cannot be sure that I was served caffeinated coffee at each location.

2. I cannot be sure that each location I visited was in fact company-owned, without cooperation from Starbucks.

3. I cannot be sure that the following locations, which I have visited but do not count towards my total because they are purportedly licensed (not company-owned), are in fact licensed.


Of the stores in the list, these are ones that I have at one time or another suspected were licensed, but currently think are company owned.

REI Denver
Casino Biloxi - Hard Rock
35 Chapters locations across Canada - I'm assuming I was given correct information
stores in universities, hospitals, airports, office buildings, etc. - have to assume I was given correct information
international stores - have to assume I was given correct information, and that the barista/manager I spoke to understands the distinction between real/licensed



Additionally, the following stores are ones that I visited but do not count in my total because, to the best of my knowledge, they are licensed. If you know otherwise, please let me know. Note the Chapters locations in the list below. Some Chapters locations are company-owned, while others are licensed out, and this creates a difficulty for me in identifying stores to visit and determining a total.

BritishColumbia\Vancouver	Chapters-Pinetree Village
BritishColumbia\Vancouver	Richmond Hospital Lobby
BritishColumbia\VancouverIsland	Chapters-Victoria, B.C.
California\SanFrancisco	Grand Central Market - Mollie Stones
Missouri\KansasCity	Independence Mall
NewMexico\Albuquerque	University of New Mexico-Bookstore
Ontario\Toronto	Robarts Library
Ontario\Toronto	Univ of Toronto-Warren Stevens Bldg
Ontario\Toronto	Toronto General Hospital
Quebec	Chapters-Pointe Claire
Quebec	Chapters-St. Catherine
Quebec	Chapters-Rockland
Quebec	St. Mary's Hospital, Lobby
Texas\DallasFortWorth	Grapevine Mills Mall-Courtyard
Texas\DallasFortWorth	Grapevine Mills Mall-Food Court-Big Hat
Texas\Houston	Katy Mills Mall