Gerald Baldwin, Zev Siegel and Gordon Bowker founded Starbucks Coffee Company in 1971, using the training and mentorship they received from Alfred Peet.
In 1984, Baldwin fulfilled a long-held dream of purchasing Peet’s Coffee and Tea. For the next three years, he owned Peet’s, as well as Caravali Coffees and Starbucks.
Howard Shultz joined Starbucks as Director of Operations and Marketing in 1982. In 1987, Shultz purchased Starbucks from Baldwin with the help of local investors. Caravali was sold in a separate transaction the same year.