Starbucks Opens Its First University Store in Colombia

Located at the Universidad de Los Andes in Bogotá, this new store highlights Starbucks commitment to job creation, economic growth, environmental sustainability, and market expansion.

Bogotá, Colombia – Starbucks Colombia, operated by Alsea, the leading restaurant operator in Latin America and Europe, continues its expansion in the market with the opening of its first university store at the Universidad de Los Andes in Bogotá. The new store will create eight new jobs and will be located on a spacious terrace in the vibrant Plazoleta Lleras, the main hub of Universidad de Los Andes, where students, faculty, and visitors gather for academic, cultural, and recreational events.

The opening of Starbucks at Universidad de Los Andes marks a significant milestone, offering students, faculty, and staff a welcoming space to connect, share ideas, and foster community. The store features a mural by local artists “Las chicas que pintan” Sara López and Carolina García, illustrating the legend of how coffee was discovered by a curious goat. In the artwork, a man and goat share a transformative moment over a cup of coffee, set against a lush Colombian landscape with mountains and coffee leaves, capturing the spirit of our roots, nature, and the ritual of enjoying coffee. This addition enhances the university experience by creating an environment conducive to collaboration, learning, and enjoying hand-crafted 100% Colombian espresso-based beverages prepared by passionate baristas.

This store is built under the Greener Stores framework through eco-friendly construction systems and operational processes. Its design and operations incorporate technologies aimed at helping to reduce global carbon emissions, water usage, and landfill waste by 50% by 2030. As Starbucks expands in Colombia, the construction of Greener Stores has been key to emphasizing the company’s commitment to meet its customers' dynamic lifestyles by designing and operating responsibly.

“We are very excited to bring the Starbucks Experience to a university campus in Colombia for the first time, with an eco-friendly store designed to strengthen the human connection established with every cup of coffee served in our stores. This opening marks a significant milestone in our presence in the market,” said Claudia Aburto, Director of Starbucks for Alsea in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

“By integrating into the Universidad de Los Andes academic community, Starbucks aims to support creativity and social development, providing a comfortable, accessible setting that complements the vibrant atmosphere of Los Andes. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to education and the development of the next generation of leaders,” added Aburto.

With this opening, Starbucks now has over 70 stores in six cities across Colombia: Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Barranquilla, Cartagena, and Bucaramanga, reinforcing its commitment to the local community and providing employment for more than 700 partners (employees).

The Universidad de Los Andes store will open Monday to Friday, from 6:30 am to 7:00 pm.