TOPIC

/ company

Starbucks

Starbucks is a global coffee company founded in 1971 in Seattle, Washington, as a roaster and retailer of whole bean and ground coffee, tea and spices. Today it is the largest coffeehouse company in the world. Starbucks Corporation's common stock is listed on NASDAQ, under the trading symbol SBUX.

Chairman / President

Mellody Hobson

CEO / Managing Director

Laxman Narasimhan

CFO / Finance Director

Brian Niccol

Industry

Coffee shop

Website

starbucks.com

Headquarters address

2401 Utah Avenue South, Seattle, Washington, U.S.

Stock Code

NASDAQ:SBUX

Year founded

1971

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A video showing a Chinese influencer trying pagpag, a dish made from discarded fried chicken in the Philippines, has raised awareness of its importance as a protein source for struggling families. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin

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China economy

Starbucks seals deal to sell 60% of China business to private-equity firm

Deal ends months of speculation about whether US company would divest itself of its cooling mainland business.

4 Nov 2025 - 1:18PM

Tourism

Seoul’s Gwangjang Market has become hip. Where to eat and shop there

From Starbucks to Kodak to The North Face, big brands are opening in the century-old Seoul market, attracting a new generation of shoppers.

25 Oct 2025 - 7:15AM

Three friends from Taiwan visit Gwangjang Market in Seoul. The market, which has well over 100 years of history, has begun to attract a new generation of shoppers. Photo: Korea Times

South Korea

Starbucks South Korea bans outside food to make stores ‘more pleasant’

Baby food is exempt from the rule aimed at reining in customers misusing store space and causing inconvenience to others.

15 Oct 2025 - 4:00PMvideocam

Starbucks South Korea has banned the consumption of outside food at its outlets to curb disturbances. Photo: Shutterstock

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Malaysia

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Malaysians have decried Suria KLCC for refusing to allow in visitors with the Palestinian flag. Photo: Instagram/suriaklccmall

Banking & finance

Starbucks China valued at about US$5 billion by bidders, sources say

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People pass a Starbucks Reserve cafe in Beijing on April 9, 2025. Photo: AFP

China consumption

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Coffee

Starbucks China attracts over 20 suitors amid 8% quarterly revenue jump

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Mergers & Acquisitions

Starbucks draws interest for controlling stake in China unit

Company is sifting through proposals and shortlisting a group of potential investors for a next round of bidding, sources say.

9 Jul 2025 - 3:47PM

North Korea

Bean there, done that? Starbucks’ Korean border outlet proves a smash hit

Despite the security checkpoints and limited opening hours, word of mouth is driving brisk business to this caffeinated frontier curiosity.

8 Jul 2025 - 2:10PMvideocam

China consumption

‘Not cool’: why China is falling out of love with foreign ice cream

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29 Jun 2025 - 5:00PMvideocam

Mergers & Acquisitions

Starbucks denies it is considering a full sale of its China operations

‘We see significant long-term potential … and are evaluating the best ways to capture the future growth opportunities,’ coffee chain says.

24 Jun 2025 - 2:54PM

Starbucks has been rapidly losing ground to domestic challengers known for their efficient models and affordable menus. Photo: Shutterstock

United States

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China trade

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Mergers & Acquisitions

Starbucks is said to kick off process to sell stake in China business

Starbucks sent out letters via a financial adviser to several potential investors this week to solicit views on the China business and how to grow it, sources said.

15 May 2025 - 11:34AM

South Korea

South Korea’s Starbucks bans use of presidential candidates’ names in orders

Customers cannot use the names of all seven presidential candidates in the ‘Call My Name’ service until after the nation’s June 3 snap polls.

14 May 2025 - 5:09PMvideocam

In South Korea, Starbucks stores run a “Call My Name” service, which allows customers to select a nickname – which they input via the Starbucks app – that baristas use to announce orders when complete. Photo: Shutterstock

Food and Drinks

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12 May 2025 - 11:39AM

A customer at a Dunkin’ Donuts coffee shop in Riyadh. Photo: AFP

Food and Drinks

Starbucks, Luckin get buzz from smaller-city coffee sales in China

‘There is still ample room for growth in lower-tier markets,’ analyst says.

11 May 2025 - 9:30AM

Food and Drinks

China adds 12,000 coffee shops as mass appeal grows, Starbucks suffers

A presidential endorsement increases thirst for the drink while aggressive expansion and price competition make it more accessible.

4 May 2025 - 11:00AM

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Starbucks

Johnnie Walker maker Diageo mulls options for China assets including sale: sources

Goldman Sachs and UBS are reviewing Diageo’s operations and are sounding out interest from local strategic buyers and private equity firms.

At 75, Snoopy has conquered the Gen Z market. How did the beagle do it?

How Singapore’s unforgiving food scene can go hot and cold on brands

Flash in the pan: how China’s plant-based meat craze fizzled

The closure of Beyond Meat’s China business, despite heavy financing and marketing, underscores challenges that scuppered many vegan meat firms.

Who plays Stranger Things’ Karen Wheeler? Meet prolific actress Cara Buono

The actress behind ‘Karen wine ‘em down Wheeler’ has appeared in Mad Men and The Sopranos, among over 80 other acting credits – she is also a Columbia grad.

Why do Chinese no longer feel the need to boycott Japanese products?

A seismic shift in the market has resulted in people preferring Chinese fashion, locally branded appliances and domestically made cars.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Explainer | What is ‘second-hand fried chicken’; how snack became popular in Philippine slums

Videos of Chinese bloggers sampling recooked, seasoned leftovers in run-down Filipino neighbourhoods go viral on social media.

From chains to viral cafes, Shanghai is a city that loves coffee a latte

Artisanal brews, lattes in naan cups, experimental flavours – Shanghai’s coffee culture makes the city a must-explore for caffeine lovers.

Starbucks seals deal to sell 60% of China business to private-equity firm

Deal ends months of speculation about whether US company would divest itself of its cooling mainland business.

Seoul’s Gwangjang Market has become hip. Where to eat and shop there

From Starbucks to Kodak to The North Face, big brands are opening in the century-old Seoul market, attracting a new generation of shoppers.

Starbucks South Korea bans outside food to make stores ‘more pleasant’

Baby food is exempt from the rule aimed at reining in customers misusing store space and causing inconvenience to others.

Explainer | Meet Caitlin Covington, the woman synonymous with ‘Christian girl autumn’

The woman behind the meme has given us yearly autumn content since 2019 – and she is neither Republican nor homophobic, as the internet believed.

China’s Yunnan cafe launches unique latte made from prized mushrooms for US$3 a cup

Detractors describe specially blended caffeine drink as ‘a waste of good food’ while others say it is simply ‘delicious’.

‘Do you want a boycott?’: Malaysia’s top mall rolls dice with flag ban

Pro-Palestinian protesters are calling for a mass gathering at the KLCC complex within the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur.

Starbucks China valued at about US$5 billion by bidders, sources say

Most bids value Starbucks China at about 10 times expected Ebitda of US$400 million to US$500 million in 2025, sources say.

As megacities slow, China’s smaller counties lead as new consumer hotspots

Survey last year found that nearly 80 per cent of consumers in China’s third- and fourth-tier cities were optimistic about the economy.

Starbucks China attracts over 20 suitors amid 8% quarterly revenue jump

Coffee chain is working to identify a strategic partner with a like-minded vision and values to capture opportunities in China, CEO says.

Starbucks draws interest for controlling stake in China unit

Company is sifting through proposals and shortlisting a group of potential investors for a next round of bidding, sources say.

Bean there, done that? Starbucks’ Korean border outlet proves a smash hit

Despite the security checkpoints and limited opening hours, word of mouth is driving brisk business to this caffeinated frontier curiosity.

‘Not cool’: why China is falling out of love with foreign ice cream

As in many other areas, young Chinese are turning away from global brands like Häagen-Dazs in favour of cheaper, nimbler local rivals.

Starbucks denies it is considering a full sale of its China operations

‘We see significant long-term potential … and are evaluating the best ways to capture the future growth opportunities,’ coffee chain says.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | Why US exceptionalism, export of crassness are losing their shallow appeal

America’s inevitable decline proves that nations thrive by prioritising their needs and working with others, not seeking economic dominance.

President Xi messages Danish businesses ahead of foreign minister’s China visit

First such letter to a foreign business community since 2021 shows how China is trying to expand its circle of friends amid a trade-war truce with the United States.

Starbucks is said to kick off process to sell stake in China business

Starbucks sent out letters via a financial adviser to several potential investors this week to solicit views on the China business and how to grow it, sources said.

South Korea’s Starbucks bans use of presidential candidates’ names in orders

Customers cannot use the names of all seven presidential candidates in the ‘Call My Name’ service until after the nation’s June 3 snap polls.

Like Texas but sandier, Saudi Arabia’s embrace of American culture is tight

In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, a country long open to American cultural influence, US chains fill the malls and US pickup trucks clog the streets.

Starbucks, Luckin get buzz from smaller-city coffee sales in China

‘There is still ample room for growth in lower-tier markets,’ analyst says.

China adds 12,000 coffee shops as mass appeal grows, Starbucks suffers

A presidential endorsement increases thirst for the drink while aggressive expansion and price competition make it more accessible.

Explainer | What is ‘second-hand fried chicken’; how snack became popular in Philippine slums

Opinion | Why US exceptionalism, export of crassness are losing their shallow appeal