In 1997 the Starbucks Foundation was established by funding literacy programs in the United States and Canada, with a focus on developing young leaders, community service, supporting coffee, tea and cocoa communities, and access to clean water (Starbucks, 2014). .
Through 1997 and 1998 stores were opened in the Philippians, England, Malaysia, New Zealand, Taiwan, and Thailand, totaling 1,886 stores. In 1999 Starbucks acquired Tazo Tea, in the hopes of attracting new customers, and Hear Music, a San Francisco based music company (Starbucks, 2014). They also partnered with Conservation International to endorse maintainable coffee growing practices (Starbucks, 2014), and a third two for one stock split is announced. The number of open stores was 2,498 and stores are opened in China, Kuwait, Lebanon and South Korea (Starbucks, 2013).
In 2000 a licensing agreement with TransFair USA was established to sell fair trade certified coffee in the United States and Canada. Ethical coffee sourcing guidelines were established in partnership with the Conservational International (Starbucks, 214). From 2000 to 2005 stores are opened in Australia, Bahrain, Hong Kong, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Austria, Scotland, Switzerland, Wales, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Mexico, Oman, Puerto Rico, Spain, Chile, Cyprus, Peru, Turkey, France, Northern Ireland, the Bahamas, Ireland and Jordan totaling 10,241 stores (Starbucks, 2014). During this time, the Starbucks card is introduced, the Starbucks Trading Company is established and Wi-Fi is launched in stores. Starbucks acquired the Seattle Coffee Company, including Seattle's Best Coffee and Torrefazione Italia coffee, and Ethos Water. The first Farmer Support Center is opened in Costa Rica as well as roasting facilities in Nevada and the Netherlands and the fourth and fifth two for one stock splits are announced.
From 2006 to 2010 the total number of stores increase to 16,858, as stores are launched in Brazil, Egypt, Denmark, the Netherlands, Romania, Russia, Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Portugal, Aruba, Poland, El Salvador, Hungary and Sweden.