Teavana Holings Incorporated is a multinational specialty tea and tea accessory retailer based in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded in Atlanta in 1997, Teavana currently operates 70 company-owned stores in 25 U.S. states and Mexico. Although Teavana does not participate in franchising, it does offer wholesale tea products for small businesses. Teavana sells loose-leaf tea, tea based hot and cold drinks, and tea related merchandise and accessories, including teapots, instruments for steeping tea, and a selection of world music. Teavana is often referred to as "The Starbucks of Tea". Teavana is the only national chain of mall-based stores specializing in loose tea and tea-related merchandise in the United States.