Starbucks announced on Monday that it will sell its controlling stake in its Chinese operations to investment firm Boyu Capital for $4 billion, marking one of the largest divestments by a global consumer company in its Chinese unit in recent years.
Under the agreement, the companies will operate a joint venture, with Boyu holding up to a 60% stake in Starbucks' retail operations in China.
Starbucks will retain a 40% interest in the joint venture and will continue to own and license the brand and intellectual property for the new entity.
The company expects the total value of its retail operations in China to exceed $13 billion, which includes proceeds from the sale of the controlling stake to Boyu as well as the value of Starbucks' remaining interest in the venture.