Nestlé and Starbucks Finalize Global Coffee Alliance

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Image Credit: istock.com/southtownboy

VEVEY, Switzerland & SEATTLE — Nestlé and Starbucks Corporation have closed a deal granting Nestlé the perpetual rights to market Starbucks consumer packaged goods and foodservice products globally, outside of the company’s coffee shops.

The agreement covers Starbucks’ packaged coffee and tea brands, such as Starbucks, Seattle’s Best Coffee, Teavana, Starbucks VIA Instant, Torrefazione Italia coffee and Starbucks-branded K-Cup pods.

“This partnership demonstrates our growth agenda in action, giving Nestlé an unparalleled position in the coffee business with a full suite of innovative brands. With Starbucks, Nescafé and Nespresso, we bring together the world’s most iconic coffee brands,” says Mark Schneider, CEO, Nestlé.

Through the alliance, the two companies will work closely together on the existing Starbucks range of roast and ground coffee, whole beans as well as instant and portioned coffee. The agreement significantly strengthens Nestlé’s coffee portfolio in the North American premium-roast and ground- and portioned-coffee business. It also unlocks global expansion in grocery and foodservice for the Starbucks brand, utilizing the global reach of Nestlé.

“This global coffee alliance with Nestlé is a significant strategic milestone for the growth of Starbucks,” says Kevin Johnson, president and CEO of Starbucks. “Bringing together the world’s leading coffee retailer, the world’s largest food-and-beverage company and the world’s largest and fast-growing installed base of at-home and single-serve coffee machines helps us amplify the Starbucks brand around the world while delivering long-term value creation for our shareholders.”

Approximately 500 Starbucks employees in the United States and Europe will join the Nestlé family, with the majority based in Seattle and London. The international expansion of the business will be led from Nestlé’s global headquarters in Vevey, Switzerland.

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