Expect an initial investment of roughly $315,000 for a licensed store. You operate the store, but Starbucks maintains strict rules over the menu, training, and equipment. 2. Buying the Stock: Owning a Piece of the Giant

The easiest way to "buy" into Starbucks is as a shareholder. Starbucks is a public company traded on the under the ticker SBUX .

You can also buy shares directly through their transfer agent, Computershare . 3. The "Full Story": How Howard Schultz Bought Starbucks

The most dramatic "buy" in the company's history happened in 1987. At the time, Starbucks only sold roasted coffee beans—not brewed cups of coffee.

You can apply to run a licensed location if you already own a business in a high-traffic area, like a grocery store (Target/Safeway), a hospital, or a university campus.