BERLIN,April 20, 2016 – AmRest Holdings SE, Starbucks exclusive licensed partner in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria and soon in Slovakia, announced today that the company has signed an agreement with Starbucks Coffee Company to acquire its retail stores in Germany. The partnership is expected to take effect in late May of 2016 and will mean that AmRest has the license to operate and develop the Starbucks brand further in the country.

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. Late last year Starbucks announced a deal with REWE to open stores in its grocery channel.

AmRest, founded in 1993 by current Supervisory Board Member Henry McGovern, and based in Wroclaw, Poland has been a partner licensee for Starbucks since 2008, when they opened their first store in the Czech Republic. Since then, AmRest has operated Starbucks stores in Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania and recently adding Slovakia where the first store is planned to be opened by the middle of 2016. Currently, AmRest operates 103 Starbucks stores, a portfolio to which the 144 stores in Germany will be added.

“We are excited to take the AmRest relationship with Starbucks to the next level by adding the German market to our portfolio. This development which will double the size of our Starbucks business is yet another proof that anything is possible on our journey to strengthen our presence in Europe,” said Henry McGovern.

“With great honor and sense of responsibility we undertake the opportunity to build the Starbucks brand in Germany,” said Adam Mularuk, Starbucks Brand President at AmRest. “Partnering with all the employees we will continue on delivering the Starbucks Experience while increasing our presence in the market. These are exciting times for AmRest and the Starbucks team in Germany, I know that together we will create fantastic opportunities.”

Currently, the majority of the more than 2,400 Starbucks stores in EMEA are licensed-owned and operated. The licensing model allows Starbucks to partner with brands that have a strong foothold in geographies and channels across Europe. These partners have experience in running highly profitable businesses but also share Starbucks mission: to inspire and nurture the human spirit, one cup, one person, one neighborhood at a time.

About AmRest

AmRest Holdings SE is the largest independent chain restaurant operator in Central and Eastern Europe. AmRest manages well-known global brands: KFC, Pizza Hut, Starbucks and Burger King and is also the owner of a unique brand La Tagliatella and two Chinese concepts: Blue Frog and KABB. The Company currently operates over 900 Quick Service and Casual Dining Restaurants in 12 countries: Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Russia, Spain, France, Germany, China and Romania.

About Starbucks

Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with more than 23,000 stores around the globe, Starbucks is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit our stores or online at news.starbucks.com and Starbucks.com.