Starbucks turns bullish on China after deal to sell majority stake to Boyu

Country to host half of net openings outside North America this year as metrics brighten

A Starbucks inside Shanghai's international airport. The U.S. coffee chain, which agreed to sell a majority stake in its Chinese operations last year, has turned optimistic about the market. (Photo by Wataru Suzuki)

KENJI KAWASE

January 29, 2026 15:00 JST

TOKYO -- Starbucks has shifted to a bullish outlook in China as sales rebound and it finalizes the sale of a majority stake in the operations to Chinese private equity firm Boyu Capital.