Starbucks explores stake sale in Japan business, Bloomberg reports

Investing.com -- Starbucks Corp is reviewing options for its Japanese operations, including a potential stake sale valued between 400 billion yen ($2.5 billion) and 500 billion yen, Bloomberg News reported Tuesday.

The potential transaction could draw interest from industry participants and private equity firms, according to the report.

The coffee chain has been working on a turnaround strategy for nearly two years under CEO Brian Niccol, focusing on reducing wait times and enhancing customer experience at its U.S. locations.

The Seattle-based company acquired full ownership of Starbucks Coffee Japan Ltd in 2014, purchasing the remaining stake from partner Sazaby League after operating as a joint venture for nearly 20 years.

Japan represents approximately 9% of Starbucks' global store network, with 1,883 locations as of September 2025, according to the company's latest annual report.

"Japan had an outstanding quarter," Niccol said in April, noting that Starbucks' top 10 international markets, including China and Japan, posted positive sales for the first time in nine quarters.

The company completed a deal with Boyu Capital in April to sell control of its Chinese operations for $4 billion as part of efforts to accelerate growth in the region.

You May Also Be Interested In

• Alphabet added to Dow Jones Industrial Average, Verizon dropped
• ImagineAR Provides Corporate Update on Debt Settlement
• BioNxt Announces Closing of Non-brokered Private Placement of Units Pursuant to the Listed Issuer Exemption