Alshaya Group Shelves Plan To Sell A 30% Stake In Starbucks MENA – CoffeeTalk

Starbucks’ retail operator, Alshaya Group, has halted plans to sell a 30% stake in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) franchise due to ongoing customer boycotts. The decision comes amid sustained boycotts against Starbucks in the region, which the company believes stem from “misconceptions” about its stance on the Gaza conflict. License partners Berjaya Food and Alsea have cited protests and negative consumer sentiment as significant contributors to declining revenues in 2024. Starbucks introduced a new section on its website titled Starbucks for the Record in December 2023 to clarify its position and counter the spread of “inaccurate information.” In April 2024, Starbucks in partnership with Alshaya Group committed $3m to World Central Kitchen to provide one million meals to families in Gaza. Alshaya Group manages Starbucks outlets across 13 MENA countries and holds licenses for food and beverage brands Chipotle, Bouchon Bakery, Dean & Deluca, Le Pain Quotidien, and Pizza Express.

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