Zheng Quan Shi Bao·2025-11-04 01:00Core Viewpoint - Starbucks has entered a strategic partnership with Boyu Capital to establish a joint venture for retail operations in China, aiming to expand its market presence significantly. Group 1: Joint Venture Details - The joint venture will see Boyu Capital holding up to 60% equity, while Starbucks retains 40% and continues to own and license its brand and intellectual property [5][6] - The enterprise value of the joint venture is approximately $4 billion, excluding cash and debt, with Starbucks estimating its total retail business value in China to exceed $13 billion [5][6] - The new joint venture will be headquartered in Shanghai and manage around 8,000 existing Starbucks stores in China, with plans to expand to 20,000 stores in the future [6] Group 2: Strategic Intent and Market Insights - Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol emphasized that Boyu's local market expertise will accelerate Starbucks' growth in China, particularly in smaller cities and emerging regions [6] - Boyu Capital's partner, Huang Yuzheng, highlighted the opportunity to innovate and localize the Starbucks experience for Chinese consumers, leveraging the brand's strong market presence [6] - Starbucks' China CEO, Liu Wenjuan, stated that this partnership will unlock significant market potential and enhance the coffee experience for Chinese customers [6] Group 3: North America Operations - In contrast, Starbucks plans to close about 1% of its stores in the U.S. and Canada, reducing the total number to approximately 18,300 by the end of the fiscal year [7][8] - The closures are part of a new strategic plan aimed at revitalizing performance, as sales have declined for six consecutive quarters [8] - The closures will primarily affect stores that only offer takeout, as the company shifts focus towards providing a comfortable dine-in experience [8]