Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-11-04 06:40Core Insights - Starbucks has announced a joint venture with Chinese private equity firm Boyu Capital to operate its retail business in mainland China, marking the first time in 26 years that Starbucks has relinquished control of its Chinese operations [1][2] - Boyu Capital will hold up to 60% of the joint venture, while Starbucks retains 40% and continues to own and license its brand and intellectual property [1] - The enterprise value of the transaction is approximately $4 billion, excluding cash and debt, with Starbucks estimating the total value of its retail business in China to exceed $13 billion [2] Company Overview - The newly formed Starbucks China joint venture will be headquartered in Shanghai and will manage around 8,000 stores currently operated by Starbucks in mainland China [2] - Over 60% of Starbucks' stores are located in the U.S. and China, with China being its second-largest and fastest-growing market [3] - Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol emphasized that Boyu's local market expertise will significantly accelerate Starbucks' expansion in China, particularly in smaller cities and emerging regions [3] Investment Background - Boyu Capital, established in 2011, has become one of China's top local private equity firms, focusing on technology innovation, consumer retail, and healthcare [3] - Recent investments by Boyu include leading projects in the consumer and technology sectors, such as Mixue Ice Cream, Haitian Flavoring, and Perfect Diary [3] Financial Performance - For the fiscal year 2025, Starbucks reported revenue of $3.105 billion from the Chinese market, reflecting a 5% year-over-year growth [3] - By the end of fiscal year 2025, Starbucks had 8,011 stores in China, having entered 1,091 county-level markets, with 183 new stores opened in the fourth quarter alone [3]