Starbucks originated in 1971 in Seattle, Washington. It began as a store selling coffee beans but expanded to also sell coffee and espresso drinks on the advice of Howard Schultz after he visited Milan. Starbucks has since expanded internationally, first to other parts of the United States and Canada, and then globally. It now has over 17,000 stores in 50 countries. Starbucks is the largest coffeehouse company in the world and generates over $10 billion in annual revenues.