Twenty-five years ago, global restaurateur HMSHost and Starbucks Coffee Company came together to open the first Starbucks in an airport. On Dec. 1, representatives from HMSHost, Starbucks Coffee Company, and the Port of Seattle gathered at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport – the first Starbucks licensed location – to celebrate and toast the milestone. The group toasted with the new seasonal Starbucks Spiced Sweet Cream Nariño 70 Cold Brew.
“HMSHost is thrilled to celebrate 25 truly exceptional years of partnership with Starbucks delivering high-quality coffee, food, and beverages to HMSHost’s many loyal guests,” said HMSHost President and CEO Steve Johnson. “As a result of this unique partnership with HMSHost, the availability of Starbucks for travelers has expanded greatly over the years, reaching all corners of the continent. We thank Starbucks and the Port of Seattle for the commitment they had to HMSHost back in 1991 to bring the first Starbucks into an airport. We are excited to continue this legacy together as HMSHost further refines the modern travel experience.”
“Through our licensed business partnerships, we strive to provide our customers access to the Starbucks Experience wherever they are, including in airport terminals throughout North America,” said John Culver, Starbucks group president global retail. “Today, we are thrilled to celebrate our 25-year business partnership with HMSHost and Sea-Tac Airport, where our licensed store business began, and, moreover, celebrate the partners who have been wearing the Starbucks green apron at Sea-Tac from the beginning.”
“Sea-Tac Airport prides itself in the many locally owned businesses that operate in the country’s fastest growing large hub airport and as Starbucks has grown to become an international leader, we’re proud to have been the birthplace of its airport operations,” said Sea-Tac Port of Seattle President John Creighton.
“We look forward in the future to making Starbucks at Sea-Tac a showcase spot for coffee lovers from around the globe who want to taste that very famous Pacific Northwest brew.”
