Starbucks' Southeast Asia Stores Shift Ownership

07:34 AM EDT, 09/30/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Singapore-listed DFI is assuming the stake of its Maxim Caterers subsidiary in Starbucks (SBUX) cafes across a number of Asian countries, DFI said Wednesday. DFI currently indirectly holds a 50% stake in Maxim's, and under the agreement, Maxim's will buy back DFI's shares in Maxim's in exchange for the Starbucks-licensed business and about $340 million in cash, subject to customary adjustments, DFI said. The stake covers over 1,100 Starbucks coffeehouses in Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Macau, and Laos, the company said. The deal is expected to close by March 2027. DFI also said it will raise its 2027 dividend payout ratio to 80% and expects about $10 million in operating synergies during the first full year after consolidation.