NEW YORK (Standard&Poor's) Aug. 20, 2007--Standard&Poor's Ratings Services said today it assigned its 'BBB+' rating to Seattle, Wash.-based Starbucks Corp.'s $500 million senior unsecured notes due 2017. Standard&Poor's also affirmed the company's outstanding ratings, including its 'BBB+' corporate credit rating. The outlook is stable. The ratings are based on Starbucks' leading market position and excellent brand recognition in the specialty coffee market in the U.S., as well as a history of good operating performance and strong cash flow generation. "Starbucks' dominant market position, coupled with the company's strong cash flow generation and good operating results, should continue in the near term," said Standard&Poor's credit analyst Diane Shand. "We expect Starbucks to maintain
