Earlier quoted context omitted.
Engineer? Harder to say. Data scientist--that's easy. Stackbucks is very good at looking at demographic data and recognizing where future demand will be new new locations. They basically mark gentrification.
Starbucks has a long list of failed stores. They aren't that good at picking locations. They just saturate and keep what doesn't lose money.
Starbucks in 2019 is the McDonald's of coffee shops, so it's not the same, but if you track their Starbucks Reserve locations you'll find the same predictions being used.