Princi Bakery at Starbucks Reserve
Starbucks has opened its first Princi bakery and cafe location in the United States at its Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Seattle.
 

SEATTLE — Starbucks Coffee Co. on Nov. 7 opened its first Princi bakery and cafe location in the United States at its Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Seattle.

Starbucks in July 2016 partnered with Princi, a high-end Italian bakery and cafe founded by Rocco Princi in 1986. At the time of the partnership, Starbucks said it would focus on developing and operating new Princi locations outside of Italy, as well as offering Princi’s baked foods in its new specialty coffee shops.

Princi will become the exclusive food offering in all new Starbucks Reserve Roastery locations, including Shanghai, opening in December 2017, Milan in late 2018, and New York, Tokyo and Chicago thereafter.

Princi Bakery at Starbucks Reserve
Rocco Princi, founder of Princi
 

“Rocco Princi is an artisan who, at an early age, discovered a love of bread making and through determination as well as an obsession for finding the perfect ingredients, has created an Italian food experience that I think is unparalleled,” said Howard Schultz, executive chairman of Starbucks. “His passion for authentic food and respect for Milanese culture come through in everything he does, and I think our customers are going to fall in love with Princi.”

The Starbucks Reserve Roastery in Seattle opened in December 2014. With the addition of Princi, the Seattle store now is centered around ovens with food across every daypart baked fresh onsite, Starbucks said. The store will offer more than 100 menu items, including flaky cornetti and focaccia sandwiches, the company said.

Princi Bakery at Starbucks Reserve
Princi will become the exclusive food offering in all new Starbucks Reserve Roastery locations.
 

“Today, I am realizing a dream that I have had since I was a young man, and I am grateful to Howard for his vision to bring Princi to the world,” said Mr. Princi, founder of Princi. “Having worked side by side with the team that Starbucks has assembled, I have seen firsthand their talent as well as the attention they have given to ensuring that the fresh, authentic, handcrafted ingredients that define the Princi experience are being honored. I am excited and humbled that the people of Seattle will now be able to experience our food.”

In addition to the Starbucks Reserve Roastery locations, Starbucks said it plans to open standalone Princi locations beginning in 2018.