Starbucks is considering offloading a majority stake in its Japan business in a deal that could value its largest overseas company-operated market at about $3 billion, according to a Reuters report citing two sources. Reuters said the company collected pitches from several financial advisers on options for the business and remains open to selling a majority stake, though the level of stake and any sale have not yet been determined and the valuation Starbucks ultimately seeks remains subject to negotiations. Starbucks' Japan operations cover 1,883 stores and account for nearly 9 percent of the chain's entire global footprint as of September 2025 data. Sources said the Japan business is expected to attract interest from global and local buyout firms, and a formal process could ignite as early as the fourth quarter. Starbucks has held full control of the Japan arm since 2014, when it bought out Sazaby League for roughly $914 million, valuing the operation at $1.5 billion at the time. In an emailed response to Reuters, Starbucks said it is continually assessing the best structure to be the most meaningful to customers and create value for shareholders in Japan.
Starbucks CorporationStarbucks is weighing a sale of a majority stake in its Japan business, a potential M&A/divestiture move whose net effect is unclear.
