Starbucks (SBUX) Enters Agreement with Starbucks Coffee France SAS

Starbucks Coffee Company (NASDAQ: SBUX) has entered into an agreement with joint-venture partner, Sigla, S.A. of Spain, through its subsidiaries Starbucks Coffee EMEA and Starbucks Coffee International. As part of the transaction, which is expected to close on Sept. 30, 2009, Grupo Vips will be a fully licensed partner with exclusive rights to operate Starbucks coffeehouses within the territories of Spain and Portugal.