Starbucks licenses Thai operations to Charoen-backed venture

Reuters

Published May 23, 2019 06:56AM ET

Starbucks licenses Thai operations to Charoen-backed venture

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Starbucks Corp (NASDAQ:SBUX) said on Thursday that a company controlled by Thai billionaire Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi and a Hong Kong-based firm had won an exclusive deal to operate and develop its retail business in Thailand.

The agreement, which it expects to close this month, is with Coffee Concepts, a joint venture between Hong Kong-based Maxim's Caterers Limited and F&N Retail Connection Co. Ltd, a company owned by Chareon's Thai Beverage Pcl.

Thai Beverage, known for its pale lager Chang beer, has non-alcoholic drinks portfolio that includes carbonated drinks and green tea.

Starbucks began operations in Thailand in 1998 and has 372 stores in the market.