Twenty years ago (NASDAQ: SBUX) was successfully building a chain of uniformly familiar coffee houses. The prospect of becoming one of the planet's most prolific food and beverage outfits, however, seemed remote at the time.

We now know that's exactly what was in the cards. Its store count went from 7,800 stores then to nearly 39,000 stores as of the end of March, and quarterly revenue has grown from roughly $1 billion to $8 billion.

Investors who were able to recognize its growth potential, of course, have been well rewarded for their patience.

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Source Fool.com