Starbucks estudou comprar o Chipotle, a ex-empresa de seu CEO

Starbucks explored a potential acquisition of Chipotle, which would have been the largest merger and acquisition in the restaurant sector, creating a company that generates $50 billion a year, according to the Financial Times. However, the status of the operation and whether the offer was officially finalized remains unclear. The two companies share a common connection: Brian Niccol, who has been the CEO of Starbucks since 2024 and was responsible for turning around the company's performance, previously served as the CEO of Chipotle for the six years prior to leaving.

Since his departure from Chipotle, Chipotle's stock has dropped by 50% from its all-time high. Since leaving Chipotle, Starbucks' stock has fallen by 2.3%. Investors in Chipotle are showing interest due to Niccol's successful management of the last food safety crisis at the company. Chipotle experienced a 20% drop in shares over the past year after serving a batch of jalapeños contaminated with salmonella in various American states.

While Niccol could potentially return and save Starbucks again - he was the CEO of Chipotle from 2018 to 2024 before Taco Bell, Yum!, and MBA at Chicago Booth - the Starbucks investor is doubtful that the executive could manage two turnarounds simultaneously while implementing one at the coffee chain. When Niccol became CEO, Starbucks' stock rose by 24% due to his demonstrated ability to have a plan and control activist investor Elliott Management's pressures, who were demanding the sale of business assets.

Niccol's "Back to Starbucks" strategy involved store closures, more baristas, new menu items, faster service, and cafe renovations - all of which have resulted in sales growth in the same stores. Starbucks owns 41,000 own and franchised stores, 40% of them in the US, while the vast majority of Chipotle's 4.2 thousand restaurants are in the US. Starbucks is valued at $103 billion on the stock exchange, while Chipotle is valued at $41 billion.