Seattle — Starbucks Corporation has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the remaining 50% share of its East China (East China JV) business from joint venture partners, Uni-President Enterprises Corporation (UPEC) and President Chain Store Corporation (PCSC) for approximately $1.3 billion in cash consideration in the largest single acquisition in the company’s history.
Starbucks will assume 100% ownership of approximately 1,300 Starbucks stores in Shanghai and the Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, building on the company’s ongoing investments in China, its fastest-growing market outside of the United States in terms of store count.
Concurrently, UPEC and PCSC will acquire Starbucks 50% interest in President Starbucks Coffee Taiwan Limited (Taiwan JV) and assume 100% ownership of Starbucks operations in Taiwan for approximately $175 million. Founded in 1997, the Taiwan JV currently operates approximately 410 Starbucks stores in Taiwan.
“Unifying the Starbucks business under a full company-operated structure in China reinforces our commitment to the market and is a firm demonstration of our confidence in the current local leadership team as we aim to grow from 2,800 to more than 5,000 stores by 2021,” says Kevin Johnson, president and CEO, Starbucks Coffee Company. “Similar to our decision in 2011 to fully license our Hong Kong and Macau market operations, we are pleased to transition our business in the Taiwan market to our long-time partners Uni-President Enterprises Corporation and President Chain Store Corporation, both highly-recognized local operators, as we continue to grow in Taiwan. This is a critical next step as we advance our multifaceted China growth strategy for long term profitable growth in Asia.”
East China is a significant and strategic region for Starbucks in China, with Shanghai containing nearly 600 stores, the largest number of stores globally of any city where Starbucks has a presence. In December 2017, Shanghai will also be the first city outside of the United States to welcome the opening of the ultra-premium Starbucks Reserve™ Roastery.
“This is the beginning of yet another exciting new chapter for Starbucks in China. Full ownership will give us the opportunity to fully leverage our robust business infrastructure to deliver an elevated coffee, in-store third place experience and digital innovation to our customers, and further strengthen the career development opportunities for our people,” says Belinda Wong, CEO, Starbucks China.
“We’ve had a strong friendship with Starbucks for nearly 20 years, starting with the opening of the first store in Taiwan and then further extending our partnership with the opening of the first store in East China,” says Alex Lo, chairman, Uni-President Enterprises Corporation.
Both transactions are expected to close by early calendar year 2018 and are subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of required regulatory approvals.
Since 1971, Starbucks has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with stores around the globe, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. For more information, visit www.starbucks.com.
SOURCE: Starbucks