Insider Media Limited

Global coffee chain Starbucks has revealed plans to ramp up its presence in the Midlands by opening up to 50 roadside and drive-thru outlets in the region over the next five years.

The move comes after the company signed a five-year deal with forecourt developer and operator Euro Garages.

Euro Garages entered into a licensing agreement with Starbucks in March 2010 to open an initial 30 drive-thru sites, which was later expanded to 50 following the success of the first stores.

Under the latest agreement, the coffee chain plans to open about 100 outlets across the North and Midlands, which could create up to 2,000 jobs.

Kris Engskov, managing director of Starbucks UK & Ireland, said: "Customers told us that they want great coffee when they're on the go and the success of our first drive-thru stores shows that this is a huge opportunity. 

"It also means that we are able to create quality jobs at a time when they are most needed and because half of our baristas are under 24 years-old, this will particularly benefit young job-seekers at a time of record youth unemployment."

Zuber Issa, chief executive of Euro Garages, added: "At a time when youth unemployment in particular is rising so sharply, we’re delighted to be making such a positive announcement that will create new and exciting employment opportunities for people at our sites."

Euro Garages has already opened 12 Starbucks sites under its existing franchise agreement, the majority in the North West, with a further 12 due to open before June 2012.

The company is BP's largest independent fuel distributor with a portfolio of more than 70 freehold-owned sites. Sales in the year to 31 July 2011 were up 5 per cent to £300m.

The business is chaired by former Asda chief executive Andy Bond and completed a £110m fundraising earlier this year.