"... This doesn't really explain why these chains succeed in America, though. ..." How about "acceptance of a lower standard of coffee?", different culture (Me

"... This doesn't really explain why these chains succeed in America, though. ..." How about "acceptance of a lower standard of coffee?", different culture (Melbourne historically more influenced by Europe than America) and the relative youth of "business franchises" in Australia? "... I'm fairly likely to go to Starbucks simply because I know what I'll get there (a slightly overpriced, slightly over-bitter, but adequate, latte), while experience has shown that picking an unknown local coffeeshop leads to, on average, a worse cup of coffee, with high variation. ..." That's a good explanation - take the safe, reliable option even if it's not quite the real thing. I'd offer another, theory. Starbucks also happens to choose their locations near known coffee locations to offer customers an alternative customers with the hope of putting them out of business. This is what happened in Melbourne and it backfired. The competition was too great ~ http://www.melbournecoffeereview.com/2008/07/celebrate-good-times.html http://www.melbournecoffeereview.com/2008/07/celebrate-good-... The problem of "finding a good coffee" might be solvable in the US by Starbucks. But in a city where Italian migrants created the "Cafe` lifestyle" through respect of produce, technology and setting, Starbucks efforts are a poor imitation.