The Withers Group, which owns petrol and convenience chain, 7-Eleven in Australia, has acquired the local Starbucks licence from its US parent.
The deal will see the company take over the nation’s 24 remaining Starbucks stores, and company-owned as opposed to franchised stores are on the cards, at least to begin with.
The Withers Group’s initial plan is to open company-owned stores in close proximity to its 7-Eleven outlets within CBD areas.
It won’t be opening Starbucks outlets within any of its 7-Eleven stores.
The aim is to see Starbucks become “the most successful coffee chain in Australia,” reportsthe SMH
“Our intention is to capitalise on the skills of the broader Withers group of companies in successfully bringing an international brand to Australia, and adapting it to suit the local market,” said Withers Group chief executive, Warren Wilmot.
Starbucks China and Asia Pacific president, Jeff Hansberry said he was confident the deal will reinvigorate the brand in Australia, however he stressed that the coffee chain had no intention of modifying its offering to appeal to the local market.
“We are just focused on delivering the best quality coffee and the best customer experience we can and continue to focus on what we do well,” said Hansberry.
“We believe that when we do those things well our customers respond by visiting our stores more frequently and telling their friends and that’s what we’re focused on.”
Withers Group chairman, Russell Withers introduced the convenience store chain to Australia in 1977, and has since grown the network to 600 stores.
