Coca-Cola has reportedly abandoned its plans to sell coffee chain Costa Coffee after bids from investors fell short of expectations.
Negotiations halted
The Financial Times reported on Wednesday that the American soft drink giant ended negotiations with bidders in December. The multinational may revive its plans to sell at a later stage. The business newspaper bases its report on two sources close to the matter. Coca-Cola has not yet officially responded to the reports.
In the summer of 2025, it became clear that Coca-Cola wanted to divest itself of its coffee chain in order to refocus on soft drinks. The British coffee company, acquired in 2018, was never able to live up to high expectations. Competition in the coffee market increased, coffee prices rose explosively, and premium coffee became more popular. In December, the company reportedly held “last-chance talks” with British investor TDR. According to Financial Times sources, those negotiations did not lead to a deal.
