Eversheds has advised Starbucks on the sale of all partnership interests in Starbucks Coffee Deutschland, the German subsidiary of Starbucks, to AmRest of Poland. The purchase agreement which is expected to take effect on 23 May 2016 will result in AmRest acquiring the existing 144 equity stores and having the license to operate and develop the Starbucks brand in Germany. Wierzbowski Eversheds advised Starbucks Coffee Company with the Polish aspects of the transaction. Dr. Krzysztof Haladyj coordinated the works of the Warsaw lawyers.

Since entering Germany in 2002 with two stores in Berlin, Starbucks has expanded to 158 stores across the country. The 144 equity stores, plus 14 stores owned by licensees New Vision, SSP Germany and Marche, makes Germany the largest market for Starbucks in continental Europe. Founded in 1971, Starbuck today is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world with more than 23,000 stores around the globe.

AmRest is one of the largest publicly listed restaurant operators in Central Europe and will operate restaurants and cafés in 12 countries after completing the acquisition. The company already runs more than 100 cafés under the Starbucks brand in the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria.

An Eversheds team was led by Christof Lamberts (lead, Partner, Corporate/M&A, Munich).