Starbucks Introduces Debit Card Starbucks is a resounding restaurant success story. Beginning with its first coffee house in 1971, Starbucks has grown to more than 24,000 locations. Opening up its first location outside of North America in Tokyo in 1996, Starbucks has since expanded to over 70 countries worldwide. In 2010 alone, Starbucks opened its doors in nine new countries, including Argentina, Brazil, and Russia. In partnership with JPMorgan Chase, Starbucks has recently introduced a prepaid card that will allow customers to earn free drinks and product discounts at Starbucks stores.