UTRECHT: August 4, 2009 – Tomorrow, Starbucks Coffee Company (NASDAQ: SBUX) and Servex, a subsidiary of NS, will open the doors of the first Starbucks location at Utrecht Centraal Station. This marks the beginning of Starbucks initial expansion into the Netherlands through major railway stations including Amsterdam Centraal Station later this year.

“We are proud that we will now be able to offer our customers high-quality Starbucks coffee,” said Madeleine van der Zwaan, general director of Servex. “Starbucks will be a comfortable meeting place and a great place to rest in the busy world of our customers. It seamlessly fits into the NS ambition to turn stations into comfortable places where customers can relax with the goal of offering travelers more quality and variation in the shopping offering.”

The Starbucks store in Utrecht Centraal is centrally located in the arrival hall next to De Broodzaak and Bruna and will offer travelers its legendary Starbucks Experience, high-quality arabica coffee, innovative products and an inviting and relaxed atmosphere. The opening of Starbucks is further proof of NS’ commitment to adding quality brands to its broad food and catering portfolio.

“It is with utmost respect for the longstanding coffee tradition in the Netherlands that we open this Starbucks in Utrecht Centraal,” said Buck Hendrix, president of Starbucks Europe, Middle East and Africa. “Starbucks has been roasting coffee in the Netherlands for seven years and by opening this store, we are honored to expand our role in the rich Dutch coffeehouse culture.”

Starbucks opened its only coffee roasting plant outside the U.S. in the Netherlands in 2002. The plant roasts and packages all Starbucks coffee distributed in the EMEA region.
 
NS and Starbucks announced a strategic license partnership to open Starbucks stores in Dutch railway stations in August 2008.The opening of the store at Utrecht Centraal Station is further proof of Starbucks commitment to the growing demand for high-quality coffee and service in a growing travel market.
 

 

 

About Starbucks Coffee Company
Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting the highest quality arabica coffee in the world. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at www.starbucks.com.

About NS
NS is the largest passenger rail transportation company in the Netherlands. The NS trains keep the Netherlands mobile. Per day more than 1.1 million train passengers reach their destination without traffic and parking problems. The train is an energy and climate friendly public service vehicle with low CO2 emission. At the 380  train station NS offers a range of services for travelers.

‘NS Reizigers’ takes care trains run, information is available and services are offered to travelers at train stations and in trains. ‘NS Poort’ develops, manages and exploits the station (areas) in the Netherlands to create comfortable and lively places where travelers can stay, work, live, shop and relax. ’Nedtrain’ manages the train maintenance amongst which are cleaning, technical maintenance, and damage repair. ‘Strukton’ is active in the construction and maintenance of rail infrastructure and building activities. ‘NS Hispeed’ connects the Netherlands with the heart of important European cities. High speed train Thalys and ICE and the international intercity trains are a smart and durable alternative for airplane and car for distances to 600 kilometers. ‘NedRailways’ makes use of the free European rail market opportunities, for example by exploiting rail concessions in the United Kingdom together with the British enterprise Serco. NS shares the railway network, which is the most used in Europe, with more than 30 other parties. ‘ProRail’ shares its rails capacity, takes care of the rail traffic control and the management and maintenance of the railway network.