Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) is a publicly listed company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, United States that owns 3 consumer brands across 2 categories, and has 1 recorded transaction.[1]
Starbucks was founded in Seattle in 1971 selling roasted beans rather than drinks. Howard Schultz joined in 1982, failed to persuade the founders to sell espresso, left to start his own bar, and bought the company in 1987. It is the largest coffeehouse chain in the world.
Nestlé paid Starbucks $7.15 billion in cash for the perpetual right to sell Starbucks packaged coffee and tea in shops worldwide. No factories or staff transferred: the payment bought a licence, which is why the cafés and the supermarket bags now have different owners.