{
  "id": 10961031,
  "title": "DFI Retail sells stake in Maxim’s in return for Starbucks business, US$340m",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/dfi-retail-sells-stake-in-maxims-in-return-for-starbucks-business-us",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-30T14:00:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SCMP Business",
    "slug": "scmp-business",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3369371/dfi-retail-sells-stake-maxims-return-starbucks-business-us340m"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "DFI Retail Group has purchased a US$340 million stake in Maxim's Caterers, along with control of its licensed Starbucks business, in exchange for its 50% equity position. This marks a strategic shift for Maxim's, which has been part-owned by Jardine Matheson since 1972. Hongkong Caterers, controlled by the Wu family, will retain 50% ownership of Maxim's. The deal sees DFI Retail gain control of over 1,100 Starbucks outlets across Asia and see a US$340 million cash infusion. The Starbucks business, operating in seven Asian markets, is projected to generate US$900 million in revenue by 2028. DFI Retail aims to increase its dividend payout ratio to 80% in 2027, while maintaining a 2028 profit guidance of up to US$350 million. The reorganisation is expected to be completed by the end of Q1 2027.",
  "summary": "Maxim’s Caterers has struck a deal to buy back its shares from DFI Retail Group for US$340 million plus control of its licensed Starbucks business, according to an exchange filing released on Wednesday. The deal will mark the start of a fresh chapter for Maxim’s, bringing an end to decades of part ownership by the conglomerate Jardine Matheson, which owns DFI Retail. Jardine Matheson bought a 50…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Business Times - Companies & Markets",
        "title": "DFI Retail to take over Starbucks business in Asia from Maxim’s Caterers",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/dfi-retail-to-take-over-starbucks-business-in-asia-from-maxims",
        "published": "2026-09-30T11:31:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Straits Times Business",
        "title": "DFI to take control of Starbucks in Asia, to give up F&B brands including Genki Sushi, Shake Shack",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/30/dfi-to-take-control-of-starbucks-in-asia-to-give-up-f-b-brands",
        "published": "2026-09-30T15:15:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}