---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think Starbucks created a platform and…"
description: "\"I think Starbucks created a platform and, ultimately, a runway for many other companies to emulate. I suspect if we had not achieved what we have, ther..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/187/howard-schultz-1317_brands_i-think-starbucks-created-a-platform-and_1407889.png"
---

#  I think Starbucks created a platform and, ultimately, a…

![“I think Starbucks created a platform and, ultimately, a runway for many other companies to emulate. I suspect if we had not achieved what we have, there would have been many regional brands that would have succeeded. But I'm not sure there would have been a national brand of the scope of Starbucks.” quote by Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/187/howard-schultz-1317_brands_i-think-starbucks-created-a-platform-and_1407889.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/187/howard-schultz-1317_brands_i-think-starbucks-created-a-platform-and_1407889.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/187/howard-schultz-1317_brands_i-think-starbucks-created-a-platform-and_1407889.png)

> “I think Starbucks created a platform and, ultimately, a runway for many other companies to emulate. I suspect if we had not achieved what we have, there would have been many regional brands that would have succeeded. But I'm not sure there would have been a national brand of the scope of Starbucks.”

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Highlights Starbucks' role as a platform that enabled other companies to follow its model

**In simple terms:** Starbucks set a standard others others emulate

Key Takeaway

Recognize the influence of pioneering brands

Themes

innovation industry impact leadership

Mood

analytical thoughtful

Type

business strategic

When to use this quote

- entrepreneurship
- market analysis
- strategic planning

Key Concepts

Platform strategy brand diffusion

Questions to Reflect On

- What factors made Starbucks' success possible?
- Can other brands create similar platforms?

A Different Perspective

Success may depend on unique market conditions not replicable elsewhere

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Brand Scope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brand-scope-4952784/) [Brands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brands/) [Coffee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coffee/) [Company](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/company/) [Emulate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emulate/) [Not sure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/not-sure/) [Platforms](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/platforms/) [Regional Brands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regional-brands-4952783/) [Runway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/runway/) [Scope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scope/) [Scope Starbucks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scope-starbucks-4952782/) [Starbucks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/starbucks/) [Starbucks Created](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/starbucks-created-2758508/) [Think Starbucks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-starbucks-1205603/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/)

## Related quotes

> [When I first discovered in the early 1980s the Italian espresso bars in my trip to Italy, the vision was to re-create that for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/when-i-first-discovered-in-the-early-1980s-the-italian-espresso-bars/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [We think of Starbucks not as a coffee company but a media company.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/we-think-of-starbucks-not-as-a-coffee-company-but-a-media-company/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [What I would hope to do is painting, because I don't think I'm qualified for anything else. My last job would be babysitting, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-bauer-van-straten/what-i-would-hope-to-do-is-painting-because-i-don-t-think-i-m/)

[Kristin Bauer van Straten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-bauer-van-straten/)

> [“So when some refer to Starbucks' coffee as an affordable luxury, I think to myself, Maybe so. But more accurate, I like to think,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/so-when-some-refer-to-starbucks-coffee-as-an-affordable-luxury-i/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [“In reality, the church has led the way in the art of enjoyment and pleasure. New Testament scholar Ben Witherington points out that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tish-harrison-warren/in-reality-the-church-has-led-the-way-in-the-art-of-enjoyment-and/)

[Tish Harrison Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tish-harrison-warren/)

> [“So don’t think of Starbucks as a place to get a $6 latté; think of it as a place to meet someone who shares…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-sack/so-don-t-think-of-starbucks-as-a-place-to-get-a-6-latt-think-of-it-as/)

[Brian Sack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-sack/)

> [“I think Starbucks would go out of business if more people were to Superglue their eyelids open when they felt tired.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-think-starbucks-would-go-out-of-business-if-more-people-were-to/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [People around the world, they want the authentic Starbucks experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/people-around-the-world-they-want-the-authentic-starbucks-experience/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [When we began Starbucks, what I wanted to try to do was to create a set of values, guiding principles, and culture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/when-we-began-starbucks-what-i-wanted-to-try-to-do-was-to-create-a/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [Starbucks is rekindling America's love affair with coffee, bringing romance and fresh flavor back to the brew.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/starbucks-is-rekindling-america-s-love-affair-with-coffee-bringing/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [Starbucks is committed to evolving and enhancing our customer experience with innovative and wholesome food offerings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/starbucks-is-committed-to-evolving-and-enhancing-our-customer/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [We woke up one day, and all the sudden Starbucks was in the middle of this political crossfire between the people who want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/we-woke-up-one-day-and-all-the-sudden-starbucks-was-in-the-middle-of/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [Starbucks is not an advertiser; people think we are a great marketing company, but in fact we spend very little money on marketing and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/starbucks-is-not-an-advertiser-people-think-we-are-a-great-marketing/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [The success of the Starbucks has been based on this balance between profitability and a social conscience. Everywhere we're doing business, were trying to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/the-success-of-the-starbucks-has-been-based-on-this-balance-between/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [For Starbucks, there will be no shortage of the highest-quality arabica beans. I suspect that for some others there could potentially be a problem,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/for-starbucks-there-will-be-no-shortage-of-the-highest-quality/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

## More by Howard Schultz

> [For Starbucks, there will be no shortage of the highest-quality arabica beans. I suspect that for some others there could potentially be a problem,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/for-starbucks-there-will-be-no-shortage-of-the-highest-quality/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [If it Captures Your Imagination, it will captivate others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/if-it-captures-your-imagination-it-will-captivate-others/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [If you look at coffee, tea, food and juice, we think there are inherent opportunities. If you look at health bars or grab-and-go products…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/if-you-look-at-coffee-tea-food-and-juice-we-think-there-are-inherent/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [The success of the Starbucks has been based on this balance between profitability and a social conscience. Everywhere we're doing business, were trying to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/the-success-of-the-starbucks-has-been-based-on-this-balance-between/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [Companies should not have a singular view of profitability. There needs to be a balance between commerce and social responsibility... The companies that are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/companies-should-not-have-a-singular-view-of-profitability-there/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [Success is best when its shared](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/success-is-best-when-its-shared/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [While their service is ending, our responsibility is just beginning!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/while-their-service-is-ending-our-responsibility-is-just-beginning/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [“Living in the same city as Microsoft, I’m only too aware that, even in low-technology businesses like coffee, the Next Big Thing could knock…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/living-in-the-same-city-as-microsoft-i-m-only-too-aware-that-even-in/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [We have a big opportunity in China. We think the number of stores here can rival the number in North America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/we-have-a-big-opportunity-in-china-we-think-the-number-of-stores-here/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [Starbucks is not an advertiser; people think we are a great marketing company, but in fact we spend very little money on marketing and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/starbucks-is-not-an-advertiser-people-think-we-are-a-great-marketing/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [We woke up one day, and all the sudden Starbucks was in the middle of this political crossfire between the people who want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/we-woke-up-one-day-and-all-the-sudden-starbucks-was-in-the-middle-of/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [I'm in a different position than most CEO's. I'm a founder. I'm not a hired CEO. Now, I can be fired by the board,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/i-m-in-a-different-position-than-most-ceo-s-i-m-a-founder-i-m-not-a/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [Profitability is a shallow goal if it doesn't have a real purpose, and the purpose has to be share the profits with others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/profitability-is-a-shallow-goal-if-it-doesn-t-have-a-real-purpose-and/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [And with the right mentor, don't be afraid to expose your vulnerabilities. Admit you don't know what you don't know. When you acknowledge your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/and-with-the-right-mentor-don-t-be-afraid-to-expose-your/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

> [People in Washington need to put their feet in the shoes of working Americans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/people-in-washington-need-to-put-their-feet-in-the-shoes-of-working/)

[Howard Schultz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

[Explore all 252 Howard Schultz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/)

## More Brands quotes

> [“She kneeled down, opened the wine fridge, and scanned the shelves, filled with a variety of white wines. Sam began to pull each bottle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viola-shipman/she-kneeled-down-opened-the-wine-fridge-and-scanned-the-shelves/)

[Viola Shipman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viola-shipman/)

> [Eventually the consumer will come to appreciate the editorial point of view of every different brand. User-generated content without editorial oversight will simply be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-eisner/eventually-the-consumer-will-come-to-appreciate-the-editorial-point/)

[Michael Eisner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-eisner/)

> [I like that you can easily flip the sheets over and have a different feel or vibe in your room. You don't have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-white/i-like-that-you-can-easily-flip-the-sheets-over-and-have-a-different/)

[Shaun White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-white/)

> [I feel that if your soul was branded by the sixties, you never lost the brand. It's like going into a nightclub and having…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/i-feel-that-if-your-soul-was-branded-by-the-sixties-you-never-lost/)

[Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/)

> [ I don't feel the need to brand myself in that way \[social media\]. But as a means to share information and raise awareness of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scarlett-johansson/i-don-t-feel-the-need-to-brand-myself-in-that-way-social-media-but-as/)

[Scarlett Johansson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scarlett-johansson/)

> [To become a celebrity is to become a brand name. There is Ivory Soap, Rice Krispies, and Philip Roth. Ivory is the soap that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-roth/to-become-a-celebrity-is-to-become-a-brand-name-there-is-ivory-soap/)

[Philip Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-roth/)

> [ What are you for? It may be, to a degree, consoling that white brothers and sisters did not vote for \[Donald\] Trump, and do… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-eric-dyson/what-are-you-for-it-may-be-to-a-degree-consoling-that-white-brothers/)

[Michael Eric Dyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-eric-dyson/)

> [I have an office full of product from brands trying to be in videos and an inbox full of songs from artists, but at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-kluger/i-have-an-office-full-of-product-from-brands-trying-to-be-in-videos/)

[Adam Kluger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-kluger/)

> [I wish Elton Brand the best. He's a great guy. He's always going to be a great friend of mine, regardless of what goes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baron-davis/i-wish-elton-brand-the-best-he-s-a-great-guy-he-s-always-going-to-be/)

[Baron Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baron-davis/)

> [I have a twelve year old sex doll. Brand new.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-jeselnik/i-have-a-twelve-year-old-sex-doll-brand-new/)

[Anthony Jeselnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-jeselnik/)

> [Sourav's greatest asset is his ability to communicate. He is a naturally very confident person. He encourages his team, is a great motivator and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-shastri/sourav-s-greatest-asset-is-his-ability-to-communicate-he-is-a/)

[Ravi Shastri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-shastri/)

> [I think that, honestly, people's censorship issues are personal but I disagree with most of those personal choices that I see others make. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-rogen/i-think-that-honestly-people-s-censorship-issues-are-personal-but-i/)

[Seth Rogen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-rogen/)

> [I don't care for brands. I'm more of a boutique shopper because the things I will find there are unique, and there won't be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shweta-tripathi/i-don-t-care-for-brands-i-m-more-of-a-boutique-shopper-because-the/)

[Shweta Tripathi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shweta-tripathi/)

> [It was psychobabbler Abraham Maslow who wrote of the phenomena of self-actualization. What Maslow failed to grasp is that reaching true self-actualization can only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nugent/it-was-psychobabbler-abraham-maslow-who-wrote-of-the-phenomena-of/)

[Ted Nugent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nugent/)

> [When I went to do "Carson" that night, they wanted us to do two songs, but we were a brand new band. "Conga" hadn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-estefan/when-i-went-to-do-carson-that-night-they-wanted-us-to-do-two-songs/)

[Gloria Estefan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-estefan/)

[Browse all 1,572 Brands quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brands/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I think Starbucks created a platform and, ultimately, a runway for many other companies to emulate. I suspect if we had not achieved what we have, there would have been many regional brands that would have succeeded. But I'm not sure there would have been a national brand of the scope of Starbucks.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Howard Schultz"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/i-think-starbucks-created-a-platform-and-ultimately-a-runway-for-many/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Brands"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/i-think-starbucks-created-a-platform-and-ultimately-a-runway-for-many/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/187/howard-schultz-1317_brands_i-think-starbucks-created-a-platform-and_1407889.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/187/howard-schultz-1317_brands_i-think-starbucks-created-a-platform-and_1407889.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/187/howard-schultz-1317_brands_i-think-starbucks-created-a-platform-and_1407889.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I think Starbucks created a platform and, ultimately, a runway for many other companies to emulate. I…” — Howard Schultz",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Howard Schultz",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-schultz/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I think Starbucks created a platform...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/i-think-starbucks-created-a-platform-and-ultimately-a-runway-for-many/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-schultz/i-think-starbucks-created-a-platform-and-ultimately-a-runway-for-many/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
