Starbucks Celebrates 20 Years in Puerto Rico

• Starbucks Puerto Rico celebrates two decades of retail presence in the market, expanding to 29 unique stores and nearly 600 partners (employees).
• As part of Starbucks 20^th anniversary celebration, a limited-edition partner-designed anniversary beverage will be available for customers to enjoy, as well as a Puerto Rico-inspired Starbucks Card and espresso mug.

San Juan, Puerto Rico - This year, Starbucks Puerto Rico is celebrating its 20^th anniversary of retail operations in the market and its commitment to bringing the Starbucks Experience to customers across the island.  Since unveiling its first store at Old San Juan in 2002, Starbucks Puerto Rico has expanded to 29 retail locations across eight cities, with nearly 600 partners proudly wearing the green apron.  Of the past two decades, the last seven have been in partnership with Baristas del Caribe, LLC. (BDC), licensed retail operator of Starbucks in Puerto Rico. 

As part of Puerto Rico 20^th anniversary celebration, Starbucks Puerto Rico will release an assortment of limited-edition products, including a unique anniversary beverage, a Puerto Rico-inspired Espresso mug and, the first ever Starbucks Card dedicated to the island.  These products will be available in all stores across the market starting on September 7, 2022. In addition, Starbucks announced the return of the popular Starbucks® Single-Origin Puerto Rico coffee to the local market.

“Over the past 20 years, we have witnessed remarkable market growth while maintaining the highest standards of quality and service.  Today, we are proud to achieve this milestone with the support of our partners (employees), customers and the communities that we serve and with a deep respect for all who are a part of the coffee industry in Puerto Rico,” expressed Idis Ortiz-López, general manager of Starbucks Puerto Rico.  “We wish to commemorate this special occasion by presenting for a limited time the Choco Nut Spice beverage, created by our talented barista champions, whose passion for coffee craft and connection impress us daily,” added Ortiz-López. 

The Choco Nut Spice beverage, a combination of white mocha with a touch of caramel nut, oat milk and cinnamon, is designed to make anyone feel at home. The beverage will be available from September 7 to 14 and can be served hot, iced, or as a Frappuccino® Blended Beverage.  Proceeds from sales of the beverage will go to the non-profit organization supported by the Starbucks store where partners accumulate the most community volunteer hours by the end of September 2022.

The 20^th anniversary Starbucks Card and espresso mug will also be available in the 29 stores across the island, while supplies last.

“The design of the Starbucks Card depicts the Puerto Rican “coquí” frog, the national flower of Puerto Rico (the maga flower), and mountains and greenery from our beautiful countryside framed by coffee tree branches from farms of Puerto Rico.  The design also includes our 20^th anniversary logo that represents the passion for elevating the everyday coffee experience, guided by our mission and values,” said Diego Moyett, marketing manager of Starbucks Puerto Rico. 

“With the 20^th anniversary Starbucks Card, customers can be a part of our loyalty benefits program called Starbucks® Rewards, where they can earn two stars for every dollar spent.  Rewards range from free birthday drinks, and coffee refills, special offers and the opportunity to redeem earned stars for your favorite Starbucks beverage or food,” Moyett added.

The Espresso mug’s, design showcases iconic places of Puerto Rico including the Pine Forest in Cayey, the Mayagüez city square, the mango fruit, surfers in Rincón, the well-known “Colibrí” bird, which is commonly found in municipalities such as Orocovis, Jayuya, Utuado, and Adjuntas, and the Tropical Rain Forest El Yunque, in Río Grande.

Finally, as part of the 20^th anniversary, Starbucks announced the reintroduction of Starbucks® Single-Origin Puerto Rico, a whole-bean coffee made exclusively with coffee produced in the mountains of seven coffee microregions in the central-western part of the Island, Yauco, Maricao, Jayuya, Adjuntas, Lares, Utuado, and Castañer. The warm days and cool nights of the region help create thicker green beans, rich in complex flavors that add a low acidity to the medium-bodied coffee. Starbucks® Single-Origin Puerto Rico, with a medium roast, contains flavorful notes of walnut, coconut, and cinnamon. This coffee will be available in bags of 250 grams (8.82 ounces).

The 20^th anniversary celebration of Starbucks in Puerto Rico also includes various community initiatives, including events with La Fondita de Jesús, a nonprofit organization that recently received a Global Community Impact Grant from The Starbucks Foundation; the 17^th edition of “Don’t Let It Fall” (“No Lo Dejes Caer”) coffee picking event; commemorative events with partners (employees), such as a latte art competition between baristas; and other activities aimed at the appreciation of day-to-day customers.

About Starbucks Puerto Rico

Starbucks Puerto Rico – operated for the last seven years by Baristas del Caribe, LLC. (BDC) – opened its first store in San Juan in 2002. Today, it has 29 stores throughout the island, employing nearly 600 partners (employees).  Since 1971, Starbucks has been committed to sourcing ethical suppliers and roasting the best quality arabica coffee. Today, with stores all over the world, the company is the leading specialty coffee roaster and retailer. Through an unwavering commitment to excellence and values, it seeks to bring the unmatched Starbucks experience into the lives of all its customers in every cup.