AsianFin -- Starbucks has attracted interest from more than 20 potential partners for equity collaboration in China, but the company is prioritizing mission alignment and operational synergy over financial investment, CEO Laxman Narasimhan said in recent remarks.

“We are looking for a partner who first and foremost shares our mission and values,” Narasimhan said, emphasizing that cultural and strategic alignment is more important than funding. “This is not about capital. It’s about ensuring the future development of the Starbucks brand in China.”

The U.S. coffee giant sees vast potential in the Chinese market, with Narasimhan expressing confidence that thousands more Starbucks stores could be opened across the country. “There is no reason Starbucks cannot become one of the most outstanding companies in China,” he said.