Starbucks considers majority stake sale in Japan business

Starbucks is considering selling a majority stake in its Japan business, a transaction that could value the operation at about $3 billion. The company has consulted financial advisers and is open to different deal structures, with a formal sale process potentially beginning in the fourth quarter; the stake size and final valuation remain undecided. Starbucks Japan operates 1,883 stores, nearly 9% of the company’s global store footprint, and has been wholly owned since Starbucks bought out partner Sazaby League for about $914 million in 2014. The potential divestment is part of CEO Brian Niccol’s broader restructuring and portfolio review, as Starbucks seeks to improve profitability and focus on its core operations.