Baker & McKenzie recently advised Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) on its agreement with Chinese leading food and beverage prodcuer Tingyi Holding Corp. (“Tingyi”) to manufacture and expand the distribution of Starbucks ready-to-drink (RTD) products throughout Mainland China.

The agreement leverages the respective strengths of Starbucks and Tingyi to bring the entire Starbucks RTD portfolio to customers in China as well as the ability to innovate specifically for the China market. Starbucks will be responsible for providing coffee expertise, brand development and future product innovation, and Tingyi will manufacture and sell Starbucks RTD products in China.

Baker & McKenzie fielded a cross-office, cross-practice team which consisted of M&A Partner Michael Horman and Associate Zhenyu Wang (Hong Kong) who advised upon the commercial aspects of the agreement, while IP Partner Andrew Sim (Beijing) and Associate David Wu (Hong Kong) advised upon licensing issues.

Commenting on the deal, Andrew Sim, lead partner and head of IP for the Beijing office, said, "Starbucks is a long-standing client of the Firm. We are extremely pleased to be able to bring this strategically important transaction to fruition within the requested timeline."