Key Takeaways:
Starbucks Corp. is considering options for its Japanese business including a stake sale, according to people familiar with the matter, as the coffee chain continues to reshape its international footprint after selling control of its China operations.
The Seattle-based company has held preliminary talks with investment banks to help determine an approach for Japan, the people said, asking not to be identified because the deliberations are private. Japan is one of Starbucks' biggest markets with about 2,100 stores, most of which the company operates directly.
The potential move follows Starbucks' sale of a majority interest in its China business in November 2025, a deal that handed control to a local partner. Chief Executive Officer Brian Niccol said Tuesday the company can double its store count outside the US, signaling further international expansion even as it evaluates ownership structures in key markets.
A stake sale in Japan would mark the second major restructuring of Starbucks' Asia operations within a year. The company's Japan unit has been a growth driver, benefiting from strong coffee culture and rising tourism demand. Any transaction would require regulatory approvals and could attract interest from private equity firms and strategic investors, the people said.
Starbucks declined to comment on the deliberations. The talks are at an early stage and no final decision has been made, the people said.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
