Renew and Brew This Spring with Starbucks; Starbucks Launches Annual B

    Business Editors/Food/Beverage Writers

    SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 22, 2005--This spring, Starbucks Coffee Company (Nasdaq:SBUX) is helping customers become experienced baristas in their own kitchens by making it easy to replace their old coffee makers with new machines designed to make the very best cup of Starbucks Coffee. For those in need of a brewing makeover, there is good news: Starbucks kicks off its Annual Brewing Sale tomorrow, offering customers everything they need to brew great tasting coffee at home -- from coffee makers to espresso machines and brewing accessories -- all at exceptional prices.
    "Our passion for great coffee doesn't end with the best beans," said Michelle Gass, Starbucks senior vice president, Category Management. "We're committed to providing our customers with the same great coffee brewing experience at home that they find in our stores."
    The Annual Brewing Sale takes place this year in Starbucks North American Company-operated locations from March 23 through April 12. To jump start this highly-anticipated event, Starbucks is hosting its first-ever "Brewer Exchange Day," which will take place on the second floor of the Shops at Columbus Circle (across from Borders) in New York City from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on March 23 only. The Brewer Exchange Day will provide a unique opportunity for New Yorkers to recycle their old home brewers, and in return receive a special gift that can be used towards the purchase of a new Starbucks coffee maker, espresso machine or any merchandise sold in Starbucks stores.
    Best Magazine's Co-founder and Editor-in-Chief, John Kelley, will participate in the New York City Brewer Exchange Day giving insight into the history and evolution of brewing technology, as well as lending his product expertise and tips for replacing old household items discarded during spring cleaning. In addition, customers will have the opportunity to participate in brewing demonstrations with Starbucks Coffee Masters, who will provide tips on making the best cup of coffee or espresso beverages at home, and assist customers in choosing the right brewer for their lifestyle. Customers will also be able to test Starbucks line of all stainless steel brewers, including the newly redesigned, stainless steel Starbucks Barista(R) Aroma(TM) 8-Cup Thermal Coffee Maker, which will be introduced during the Annual Brewing Sale.
    Recycle America Alliance (RAA), a subsidiary of Waste Management Inc., will accept home brewers brought in to the Shops at Columbus Circle event location. Nearly all materials in the home brewing equipment will be recycled. Industrial-sized brewing equipment will not be accepted.
    Starbucks Corporation is the leading retailer, roaster and brand of specialty coffee in the world, with more than 9,000 retail locations in North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and the Pacific Rim. The Company is committed to offering the highest quality coffee and the Starbucks Experience while conducting its business in ways that produce social, environmental and economic benefits for communities in which it does business. In addition to its retail operations, the Company produces and sells bottled Frappuccino(R) coffee drinks, Starbucks DoubleShot(R) coffee drink, and a line of superpremium ice creams through its joint venture partnerships. The Company's brand portfolio provides a wide variety of consumer products. Tazo Tea's line of innovative superpremium teas and Hear Music's exceptional compact discs enhance the Starbucks Experience through best-of-class products. The Seattle's Best Coffee(R) and Torrefazione Italia(R) Coffee brands enable Starbucks to appeal to a broader consumer base by offering an alternative variety of coffee flavor profiles.
    To request a Brewing Catalog and photos of all Starbucks home brewing equipment, please contact Adam Pietrala at (212) 704-4455 or adam.pietrala@edelman.com.
    For information regarding Recycle America Alliance, please contact Heather Browne at HBrowne@wm.com.

--30--APG/se*

CONTACT: Starbucks Coffee Company Jenny Walsh, 206-318-7011 206-696-2728 (cell) jwalsh@starbucks.com http://www.businesswire.com/cnn/sbux.shtml or Edelman Public Relations Joanne Tehrani, 212-642-7771 917-334-0377 (cell) joanne.tehrani@edelman.com

KEYWORD: WASHINGTON NEW YORK INDUSTRY KEYWORD: CONSUMER/HOUSEHOLD FOODS/BEVERAGES RETAIL PRODUCT SOURCE: Starbucks Coffee Company

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