Starbucks’ Seattle’s Best Brand gets new logo, franchise expansion
By APWednesday, May 12, 2010
Starbucks revamps Seattle’s Best Brand
SEATTLE — Coffee chain Starbucks Corp. says it will revamp its Seattle’s Best brand, giving it a new logo and expanding its availability through franchises and a big expansion at other retailers.
Starbucks plans to increase availability of the brand from 3,000 locations to 30,000 by the end of the year.
That includes a new agreement with AMC Theaters, which will serve Seattle’s Best Coffee in 300 AMC Theaters nationwide beginning in July.
Seattle’s Best will also be offered at all Burger King restaurants by September.
Starbucks has faced increased competition as lower-priced rivals such as McDonald’s Inc. tout their own brews. But it has responded by cost-cutting and other moves and the company posted an eight-fold increase in its second-quarter profit.
