Starbucks could enter India through franchise

Business newspaper Mint has said in a report that the Starbucks Corp., the world’s largest coffee shop chain is considering entering the Indian market through franchise system rather than a joint venture mechanism.

The company is said to have re-filed their application with the Indian government and are now rumored to be operating through V.P. Sharma, its Indonesian franchisee.

Sharma would now own 51 percent in a venture with India’s Future Group founder Kishore Biyani.

Mint paper quoted an Indian government official as saying: “Starbucks is out of it (the new application). Sharma will represent Starbucks now.”

None of the involved parties have commented on this latest rumor in the market related to the entry of Starbucks in India.

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