A round-up of the latest major deals from across the global coffee industry, including a vote of confidence in De’Longhi’s professional coffee ambitions, a major Starbucks franchise sale in East Asia and formal offers for Segafredo owner Massimo Zanetti Beverage Group
De’Longhi increases stake in $2.3bn La Marzocco and Eversys division
De’Longhi has boosted its investment in the professional espresso machine market after increasing its stake in La Marzocco and Eversys.
Formed in December 2023 in a deal worth $1.4bn, the La Marzocco and Eversys tie-up generated €489.1m ($584.5m) in revenue last year.
Highlighting the growing importance of the professional coffee machine category for the group, which now generates approximately 25% of group profit, De’Longhi has boosted its stake in the division by more than a quarter to 88%.
Hong Kong retail group takes control of seven Starbucks markets in East Asia
Hong Kong-based DFI Retail Group has assumed full control of Starbucks operations in seven East Asian markets after joint venture partner Maxim’s Group exited the business.
DFI, owned by conglomerate Jardine Matheson, entered a joint venture with Maxim’s to launch Starbucks in Hong Kong in 2000 and grew the licensed business to more than 1,100 stores across Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Macau and Laos.
The licensed Starbucks business generated approximately $750m for DFI and Maxim’s in 2025. In a press release, DFI said it expects that figure to rise to $900m by the end of 2028.
Westrock and Kofola among bidders for Massimo Zanetti Beverage Group, sources say
US beverage giant Westrock Coffee and Czech cola maker Kofola have reportedly submitted bids for Italy’s Massimo Zanetti Beverage Group (MZB Group).
In July 2026, MZB Group Founder Massimo Zanetti confirmed that the coffee group was exploring sale options, with reports placing any deal in the region of €1.2bn ($1.37bn).
Formal offers for the Segafredo owner have now been submitted, according to Italian media, with three investment firms also in the running.
Two Greek coffee chains become part of Canada’s Recipe Unlimited Corporation
Greece’s Everest and Flocafe Espresso Room have been acquired by Canadian restaurant group Recipe Unlimited Corporation – giving the Ontario-based operator its first foothold in Europe.
Food-focused Everest, best known for its 24-hour cafés and toasted sandwiches, currently has more than 100 outlets across Greece, primarily in transit hubs and motorway service stations. Premium coffee chain Flocafe operates 31 stores across Greece and a further 15 across seven international markets.
Malaysian hotel group snaps up embattled Christine’s Bakery
Kuala Lumpur-based hotel group Magma Group Berhad has secured a cut-price deal for struggling Christine’s Bakery and set out plans to reverse its fortunes.
Founded in 2017, Christine’s currently operates 10 boutique outlets across Malaysia’s Klang Valley, serving specialty coffee, French and Japanese-inspired pastries and cakes, and all-day menu dishes such as Chicken Roulade, Spanish Omelette, Soft Shell Crab Tobiko and Wagyu Beef Pizza.
Subject to regulatory approval, Magma will acquire the premium bakery-café chain for RM 3.2m ($780,000). The discounted deal highlights Christine’s financial struggles and represents an “opportunistic investment”, Magma added in its Bursa Malaysia filing.
Purebread Brands to triple in size following Caffè Artigiano acquisition
Vancouver-based bakery group Purebread Brands is set to acquire the café business of Caffè Artigiano for CA$7.7m ($5.4m).
Founded in 1999, Caffè Artigiano is one of Canada’s largest specialty coffee chains, with 20 outlets across British Columbia and a further seven sites in development. The acquisition will more than triple Purebread’s current seven-strong bakery-café network in British Columbia.
Since 2019, Caffè Artigiano has been owned by Knightsbridge Capital Group, which will retain control of roastery, wholesale and direct-to-consumer packaged coffee operations.
