Is Seattle's Best Under Starbucks?

Seattle's Best Coffee has been around for decades but most still consider it to be another Starbucks brand. Although the two can be linked in the way of history, that does not mean one is the lesser sibling of the other. Getting a closer look at what Seattle's Best has to offer may make people ask themselves if it deserves more consideration.

Seattle's Best Coffee Started With Its Own Identity Before Becoming Part Of A Corporate Empire

Originally a tiny coffee shop on Whidbey Island in Washington, Seattle's Best Coffee started off way back in 1970. Instead of strong and dramatic blends for which Starbucks has become known, it concentrated on seamless and approachable combinations. It became a rather popular regional brand with time and gained credibility. That is when Starbucks bought it in 2003, fundamentally shifting the course of Seattle's Best.

Before the purchase, Seattle's Best had a loyal following of people who liked a more balanced cup of coffee. Starbucks was growing quickly, but Seattle's Best stayed out of the public eye because their coffee always tasted mild and perfect. A lot of coffee drinkers came here because they wanted something different from Starbucks' usual strong drinks.

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Starbucks' Acquisition Of Seattle's Best Coffee Brought Wider Distribution But Also Diminished Its Uniqueness

Seattle's Best Coffee became more ubiquitous in fast food chains, convenience stores, and grocery aisles under Starbucks. For those who couldn't take Starbucks' signature roasts, it was now more than a café brand, a mass-market alternative. While that broader distribution helped the brand, it also made it more difficult for Seattle's Best to achieve a firm independent reputation. Most saw it as just a cheaper alternative and as not a brand with a personality of its own.

Particularly in areas where there were fewer Starbucks stores, Starbucks used Seattle's Best Coffee to gain exposure to more people. This involved licensing the brand to be used in vending machines, colleges, and even airports. For people on the go, the convenience of Seattle's Best made it an easy option, but it also removed the sense of uniqueness that most coffee companies use to gain consumer loyalty.

Seattle's Best Coffee Has A Different Flavor Approach But Does Not Always Get Credit For It

Seattle's Best is often considered by most to be a watered-down Starbucks, but it has consistently focused on smoother, more balanced blends. It is for those who prefer a smoother coffee that is not lacking in depth. It should be a selling point, but instead, it gets lost in a market where bold and strong flavors are what is being touted mostly.

With so many coffees available, people are more and more taking notice of what they put into their bodies. Some opt for organic beans, while others choose brands that focus on ethical sourcing. Just as Seattle’s Best Coffee is for people who like smoother coffee, Maria's Green Cleaning is for people who like environmentally friendly cleaning services. The market for businesses that focus on sustainability continues to grow, whether in cleaning or coffee, and it proves that people do love thoughtful choices.

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Nestlé Now Owns Seattle's Best Coffee, Which Could Mean A Fresh Start Or Further Dilution

Starbucks sold Seattle's Best Coffee to Nestlé in a business transaction in 2022. While it also poses questions, this latest development may give a new lease on life to the brand. Will Nestlé go on to market Seattle's Best as another brand name on retail shelves or invest in reviving it to its former popularity? Whether the new ownership will focus on what initially made the brand unique remains to be observed.

Seattle's Best Coffee Has The Potential To Step Out Of Starbucks' Shadow If Given The Right Attention

Now that Nestlé is in charge, there is an opportunity to redefine Seattle's Best Coffee and remind the world why it mattered in the first place. Instead of being a second-choice brand, it could once again be a brand in its own right. The question is whether Nestlé will take that path or let it continue to be part of the background. Time will tell if Seattle's Best Coffee will finally get its due for what it has to offer.

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