Starbucks operates and licenses tens of thousands of coffeehouses worldwide, a scale no competitor approaches. North American company-owned stores produce most of the profit, powered by a loyalty program and mobile app that hold billions in prepaid deposits and drive a striking share of transactions. China is the second-largest market and the long-term expansion bet, run at different economics. The brand's pricing power in an affordable daily ritual has carried it through downturns since the first Seattle store opened in 1971.