Starbucks Corporation has revealed it will open its first franchise stores in the UK later this year, following one of its best December trading periods. Starbucks UK also revealed that it will invest 8 million in refurbishing an additional 70 London stores ahead of this summer's Olympic Games, including six more high-profile renovations at shops in the capital's West End and City. The company said last month it plans to open 300 outlets over the next five years, of which a third will come from its license agreement with the petrol forecourt retailer Euro Garages.