Starbucks Opens First Certified Coffee Master Store in Beijing

On November 26, 2012, Starbucks made a major move in its China expansion plan—not with a new product, but with people. In celebration of its 100th store in Beijing, the company unveiled a first-of-its-kind location where every barista is a certified Coffee Master, underscoring its investment in service excellence and coffee expertise.

Starbucks’ 100th Beijing store, located in Solana Blue Harbor, is the first in China to be fully staffed by certified Coffee Masters—baristas who have passed rigorous training and exams. The same day, Starbucks also launched Starbucks China University to develop local talent in coffee and retail leadership.

What Is a Starbucks Coffee Master?

A Coffee Master is a Starbucks barista who has completed advanced training in coffee knowledge, brewing skills, and customer engagement. To earn the title, a barista must study topics such as coffee’s origins, agricultural practices, roasting science, blending techniques, and espresso preparation. They also learn to connect with customers through the “last 10 feet” of the coffee experience—that moment when coffee is served and stories are shared. Certification includes both theoretical exams and practical evaluations, and must be maintained through regular re-assessment.

Beijing’s Coffee Master Store: What Makes It Different?

The Solana store isn’t just staffed by experts—it’s built to let those experts shine. Baristas wear the signature black apron awarded only to Coffee Masters. The store features professional-grade equipment like the La Marzocco manual espresso machine, highlighting the skill required to pull perfect shots. A unique funnel-style pour-over setup lets customers engage in custom brewing, while the masters’ latte art adds visual artistry. The interior follows an Art Nouveau aesthetic, with decor that traces coffee’s journey from bean to cup—from stylized illustrations of coffee trees and fruit to roasted beans, immersing customers in Starbucks’ concept of the “third place.”

Starbucks China University: Investing in People

The opening of the 100th store coincided with the launch of Starbucks China University, a dedicated training platform designed to grow the company’s local talent. The university offers structured programs in coffee knowledge, retail management, leadership, and service. Courses are tailored to individuals’ roles and career paths, supported by digital learning tools and custom modules. A standout feature is the “partner professor” program, where experienced employees—including store partners, department heads, and executives—teach selected courses. By 2015, the university plans to deliver over 200 customised training modules for staff at all levels. Starbucks aims to integrate academic and governmental partnerships to strengthen its training offerings further.

Starbucks’ China Expansion Goals

Since opening its first Beijing store in 1999, Starbucks has grown to operate 100 locations in the city and over 700 across mainland China. The company has set ambitious targets: becoming China’s second-largest market globally by 2014, and operating 1,500 stores in more than 70 cities by 2015. The Coffee Master store and China University initiatives are key parts of this strategy, reinforcing Starbucks’ commitment to quality, service, and local development.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Starbucks Coffee Master?

A Starbucks Coffee Master is a barista who has completed advanced training and certification in coffee knowledge, brewing techniques, and customer engagement. They must pass exams covering coffee origins, roasting, blending, and service skills, and wear a black apron to signify their status. Certification requires ongoing re-assessment to maintain.

Where is Starbucks’ first Coffee Master store located?

Starbucks’ first Coffee Master store is located in Beijing’s Solana Blue Harbor shopping district. It is the company’s 100th store in the city and the first in China to be fully staffed by certified Coffee Masters.

What makes the Coffee Master store different from other Starbucks locations?

This store features expert-only staffing, professional equipment like the La Marzocco manual espresso machine, a custom funnel-style pour-over setup, and Art Nouveau décor that illustrates coffee’s journey from bean to cup. It emphasizes hands-on coffee experiences and customer connection.

What is Starbucks China University?

Starbucks China University is an internal training platform launched in 2012 to develop local employees in coffee expertise, retail management, and leadership. It offers customised courses, digital learning tools, and a “partner professor” program where experienced staff teach specialised classes.

What are Starbucks’ growth goals in China?

Starbucks aimed to make China its second-largest market by 2014 and operate 1,500 stores across 70+ cities by 2015. As of 2012, it had over 700 stores on the mainland and 100 in Beijing alone.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Espresso and Pour-Over

For espresso lovers, try FrontStreet Coffee’s PWN Golden Mandheling—a deep-roasted Indonesian single origin with low acidity, rich body, and notes of dark chocolate and herbs, ideal for bold shots. For pour-over fans, the Colombia Sidra offers bright citrus and juicy berry tones with a medium body, thanks to its dual anaerobic processing and medium-light roast. Both beans highlight the craftsmanship behind skilled brewing, much like Starbucks’ Coffee Masters aim to showcase. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.