Coca-Cola prepares to sell Costa Coffee in takeover deal

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 11:38 · Archive

Coca-Cola is reportedly preparing to sell Costa Coffee after the chain lost its top spot to Greggs.

Coca-Cola is reportedly preparing to sell Costa Coffee in a major takeover deal, according to reports from The Sun and Semafor. The US drinks giant bought the British coffee chain for more than $5 billion in 2018. The sale comes after Costa lost its position as Britain's biggest coffee chain to bakery group Greggs. Coca-Cola reportedly tried to sell Costa earlier this year but abandoned the plans after receiving lower offers than expected. The sale price is unknown.

Costa operates more than 2,700 UK outlets and has dozens of stores across Essex. The chain is home to one of the largest roasteries in Europe, located in Basildon and opened in early 2017. The facility significantly expanded Costa's production capabilities, with capacity to produce 45,000 tonnes of coffee each year—four times the roasting capacity of its previous roastery in Lambeth. The Basildon facility covers an area equivalent to more than 30 tennis courts.

Raw coffee beans used by Costa in the UK are sourced from 100 per cent Rainforest Alliance Certified farms before being transported to Tilbury Docks, around 14 miles from the roastery. Once at Basildon, the beans are slow-roasted as part of the process that supplies coffee for Costa shops, Costa Express machines and its at-home range.

Coca-Cola prepares to sell Costa Coffee in takeover deal — Image: Brentwood Guardian

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How it is being reported

Global brand could sell major UK coffee chain in takeover dealCoca-Cola is reportedly preparing to sell Costa Coffee after the UK chain lost its top spot to Greggs, with 2,700 outlets and a Basildon roastery in Essex.Brentwood Guardian · 9 Oct, 10:23
Global brand could sell major UK coffee chain in takeover dealCoca-Cola is reportedly preparing to sell Costa Coffee after the UK chain lost its top spot to Greggs, with 2,700 outlets and a Basildon roastery in Essex.Colchester Gazette · 9 Oct, 10:23
Global brand could sell major UK coffee chain in takeover dealCoca-Cola is reportedly preparing to sell Costa Coffee after the UK chain lost its top spot to Greggs, with 2,700 outlets and a Basildon roastery in Essex.Echo (Basildon) · 9 Oct, 10:23

In this story: Coca-Cola · Costa Coffee · Greggs · Basildon · Essex

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