Starbucks is a ubiquitous name in most countries, but it’s not the only coffee chain around. In fact, there are a few countries where Starbucks doesn’t even exist! Here are five of them:
1. Cuba
Starbucks didn’t open its first Cuban store until 2002, and it still has only a handful of locations. The Cuban government doesn’t allow American companies to operate in Cuba, so Starbucks has to resort to smuggling its products in.
2. North Korea
It’s not just Starbucks that’s banned in North Korea; virtually all Western foods and products are off limits. However, the coffee chain does have a few stores in the country, and they’re popular among tourists.
3. Burma (Myanmar)
Burmese authorities strictly control the country’s economy, and they don’t allow foreign companies to operate in Burma. That includes Starbucks, which hasn’t opened any stores in the country since 2010.
4. Iran
Starbucks wasn’t the only Western company to face sanctions from the Iranian government. Other companies, like Nike and McDonald’s, have had to close their businesses in Iran.
5. Venezuela
In recent years, Venezuela has faced a lot of economic turmoil. That’s led to a decline in the popularity of Starbucks, which ceased operations in the country in 2014.
