> Starbucks [...] were an industry leader that understood the impact that providing a *comfortable café environment* had on the experience of spending time within their stores.
Sorry, perhaps mine is too European a perspective, but are you kidding?
I'm an American and I don't get it either. There are tons of local coffee shops _everywhere_ in America, most with better coffee, happier baristas and unique atmosphere. Have so many Americans/Canadians never... like... been to a coffee shop that's not Starbucks?
I think it's more that a lot of Starbucks expansion in Europe happened when they already started switching gears to standard less compatible with providing a "Third Space".
Sorry, perhaps mine is too European a perspective, but are you kidding?