Starbucks opened its first cafe in Paris is 2003 and now 7 years later they have a whopping 50 locations.
Many skeptics thought that Starbucks would be unsuccessful and a total financial disaster in Paris. Paris is filled with cute little cafes where people gather and sit for hours on cute little terraces and people watch. However, Starbucks understood what they were up against and as it turns out, they offered Parisians an option that they did not have before:TAKE-OUT COFFEE. I know it doesn't seem like a big deal to us, but it was quite an innovative concept for Parisians.
The first Paris location was chosen in an area brimming with young bankers. As soon as the Starbucks opened, it was jam-packed with lines out the door from open to close.
There are a couple of major differences though between the American, London Starbucks and the French stores. For one, the French Starbucks cafes are very nicely decorated, roomy with big plush chairs and modern tables. Most locations have two floors, but only a few have patios. They offer "gourmet" sandwiches and toasts and pastries that appeal to the French palette. A better quality food than the locations in the U.S.
They have pretty much the same drinks as a Starbucks anywhere and the prices are pretty decent as compared to the cost of coffee at the local Paris cafes.
Despite some sniffiness in the French press early on, some younger Parisians expressed their excitement that they were finally able to visit the kind of cafe they loved to watch on their
favorite US TV series ”Friends”.
Je suis tres heureux (I am very happy)
Who Knew?
I'm Just Sayin
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