The Starbucks Location Technically Owned By King Charles
Ever heard of the phrase "breaking your fast like royalty"? Well, it turns out that if you were to visit the Starbucks at Banbury Gateway Shopping Park in Banbury, England and snack on its breakfast sandwiches — or indulge a little bit with a frappuccino — you'd have broken your fast on King Charles' estate.
But don't worry: You won't need to curtsy or bow as you step in for your morning coffee. And while it's an intriguing thought, the chances of bumping into King Charles or any royal family members during your coffee run are pretty slim. You see, the Banbury Gateway Shopping Park is owned by the Crown Estate, which is essentially a business that owns and manages properties belonging to Britain's current monarch. Besides Banbury Gateway Shopping Park, the Crown Estate also owns vast tracts of land around England, multiple estates, virtually all naturally occurring gold and silver in the land (yes, really,) and a chunk of the British shoreline. Taken together, the Crown Estate owns £15.6 billion worth of properties in 2022.
So, when you sip your coffee at this particular Starbucks or maybe grab a bite at the Crown Estate-owned McDonald's in the same mall, you're technically patronizing a business owned by King Charles, which he inherited from Queen Elizabeth II. Do note the term "technically," however, because the arrangement is a little bit more complicated than this.
It's owned by King Charles ... but not quite
The Crown Estate is a complex and storied organization. But, in simpler terms, think of it as a gigantic real estate firm that oversees properties and lands associated with the royal family. Interestingly, according to the U.K. House of Commons, this firm is considered "The Sovereign's Public Estate" — it's neither under the royal family's nor the government's direct ownership. In 2022, it generated a whopping £442.6 million in revenue. Almost all of this went to the HM Treasury, the U.K.'s finance and economic ministry, with only a fraction allocated as a grant for the royal family.
This means that even though places like Banbury Gateway Shopping Park and the Starbucks within it are technically under King Charles' name, he's quite hands-off with management. He can't tell the store manager to serve espresso only from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. or demand that Starbucks step aside and rebrand the place to a Costa. Instead, that authority comes down to the Crown Estate's board, which is structured like the management of an average company. You have directors and a CEO, albeit with fancier titles like "first commissioner" and "second commissioner."
So, while it's a fun fact to muse that King Charles might own a shopping mall and a Starbucks, the reality is that he's probably never stepped foot in it and might not even be aware of its existence in his vast portfolio. But now that you're in the know, why not take the chance to visit and enjoy a "royal" cup of coffee?
Is the Banbury Gateway's Starbucks as posh as it sounds?
If you're envisioning a Starbucks visit fit for royalty, complete with guards at the door and golden chandeliers, the Starbucks at Banbury Gateway might bring you back to reality. It's just your quintessential Starbucks experience, featuring cozy leather seating with plush sofas and ottomans, and a bar area where baristas will take your order and whip up your favorite drinks — no more, no less.
For those in search of a Starbucks with a bit more flair, you'll need to venture beyond Banbury. The U.S., for example, boasts 12 striking and unique Starbucks locations, and over in Seoul, there's an especially beautiful Starbucks location with bird statuettes hanging from the ceiling to amp up the ambiance.
But don't let the ordinary appearance of the Banbury Starbucks dampen your spirits. Enjoying an English breakfast accompanied by freshly brewed coffee in this setting still has its charm. It's not every day you get to sip on an iced coffee that, in a roundabout way, is served under the auspices of His Majesty the King!