Starbucks Voted Best Coffee by Zagat for Third Year in a Row

Starbucks Also Ranked Most Popular Among 37 Quick Refreshment Chains

SEATTLE,- Starbucks Coffee Company (NASDAQ:SBUX) has been voted as No. 1 Best Coffee among Fast Food and Quick Refreshment chains and the No. 1 Most Popular Quick Refreshment Chain in Zagat’s 2011 Survey of National Chain Restaurants released today. More than 6,000 surveyors participated in Zagat’s online survey, and this is the third year surveyors have awarded Starbucks the top honor.

Besides being chosen as the best coffee among all quick service chains on the list, including Peet’s Coffee & Tea, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Dunkin’ Donuts and McDonald’s, Starbucks was voted as the Most Popular among the 37 chains included in the Quick Refreshment category.

“We’re honored that Zagat’s coffee drinkers continue to select Starbucks as the finest coffee in the country" said Dub Hay, senior vice president, Global Coffee Authority. “For 40 years we’ve been sourcing and roasting the highest quality coffees and this recognition celebrates our commitment to bringing the Starbucks Experience to life for every customer, through every cup.”

Zagat Survey is one of the world’s most trusted sources for consumer generated, leisure-based survey information. With a worldwide network of over 375,000 surveyors, Zagat conducts surveys throughout the year, providing reliable and easy to use ratings and reviews. As with all Zagat surveys, participants in the National Chain Restaurant survey are frequent, knowledgeable consumers in each of the categories they rate.

For 40 years, Starbucks has delivered the highest quality coffees. Starbucks coffee buyers taste more than 250,000 cups of coffee yearly and only 3-percent of the coffee grown around the world is good enough to make it into a bag of Starbucks® coffee. Starbucks is proud to offer both single-origin coffees that reflect the uniqueness of their origins, as well as blends with distinct complexities, aromas and depth. A heritage of roasting expertise also allows Starbucks to craft a variety of roast intensities to match any taste. But, it’s about more than just coffee. Baristas are at the heart of the Starbucks Experience, applying their expertise and connecting with customers each day.

More information about Starbucks in the 2011 Zagat Survey can be found at www.ZAGAT.com/fastfood or news.starbucks.com.

About Starbucks Corporation

Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting the highest-quality arabica coffee in the world. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at www.starbucks.com.