Coca-Cola's CEO explains why its $5 billion bet on a coffee chain hasn't worked out as planned

Core Insights - Coca-Cola's investment in Costa Coffee is under review as the expected growth has not materialized [2][3] - The CEO acknowledged that the coffee segment remains attractive and profitable, but the current business model has not generated the desired multiplier effect [3] Company Strategy - Coca-Cola acquired Costa Coffee for approximately $5.1 billion to establish a presence in the coffee market, which is seen as a key growth area [1] - The company primarily generates revenue from selling drink concentrates and ingredients to partners, rather than through retail operations [2] Financial Performance - Coca-Cola reported a 5% increase in net sales, reaching $12.46 billion in the third quarter, which positively impacted its stock price, rising about 4% [4] Future Considerations - The company is contemplating the future direction of its coffee business, indicating a potential shift in strategy [3] - There are reports of Coca-Cola exploring a sale of Costa Coffee, although this was not addressed in the latest earnings call [4]