Latin America · Companies
Key Facts
—Renewal term. Alsea and Starbucks extended their partnership for 20 more years, through 2046, covering 12 markets across Latin America and Europe.
—Current footprint. As of March 2026, Alsea operated 1,969 Starbucks outlets, with 942 in Mexico, 261 in France, 198 in Spain, 176 in Chile, and 134 in Argentina.
—Development plan. The agreement includes joint 2026-2028 development obligations, with earlier plans pointing to nearly 200 new stores and over 2,600 direct jobs in Mexico alone.
—Financial context. The renewal was announced on May 19, 2026, against a backdrop of weak Q2 2026 results and soft Mexican consumer spending for Alsea.
—Job scale. Earlier disclosures showed Starbucks and Alsea employed more than 18,000 partners across over 1,660 stores in the region.
Alsea Starbucks renewed their alliance for 20 more years through 2046, the Mexican restaurant operator confirmed in May, doubling down on Latin American cafe growth even as weak consumer spending in Mexico dragged down its Q2 2026 profits.
Alsea operates Starbucks across 12 markets under a new alliance running to 2046.
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A Long-Term Bet on Cafe Demand
Mexican restaurant operator Alsea secured rights to keep developing and operating Starbucks coffeehouses in all 12 markets where it already holds the license. Those markets span Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Uruguay, Paraguay, Spain, Portugal, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg.
The renewal locks in a partnership that had been set to expire, extending it until 2046. Both companies will jointly define specific development targets for the 2026-2028 period, though a fully itemized store schedule has not been publicly released.
Alsea, one of Latin America’s largest quick-service restaurant groups, manages global brands including Domino’s Pizza and Burger King in addition to Starbucks. This diversified portfolio means the Starbucks renewal is a cornerstone of its long-term strategy, not just a single-brand bet.
For readers unfamiliar with the region’s business landscape, such multi-decade franchise agreements are relatively rare and signal deep mutual commitment. They also provide the operational stability that foreign investors typically look for when evaluating emerging-market consumer plays.
Alsea Starbucks Expansion and Jobs
As of March 2026, Alsea operated 1,969 Starbucks outlets across its territory, with nearly half – 942 stores – located in Mexico. Earlier expansion plans tied to the partnership already pointed to a 4.5-billion-peso (US$243 million) investment in Mexico by 2026, supporting nearly 200 new stores and more than 2,600 direct jobs.
Broader regional figures show the partnership employed more than 18,000 people across over 1,660 stores at an earlier stage. A separate Colombia announcement outlined a US$12 million investment to open 30 additional stores over three years, reinforcing the job-generating pattern of the alliance.
The European footprint is also significant, with 261 stores in France and 198 in Spain as of March 2026. This transatlantic presence gives Alsea a hedge against downturns in any single Latin American economy, a structural advantage that pure-play regional operators lack.
The commercial terms of the renewed deal remain substantially consistent with prior agreements, according to company disclosures. This suggests neither side sought to radically renegotiate royalties or fees, preserving the economic model that has fueled two decades of expansion.
Weak Mexican Spending Clouds the Outlook
The renewal came as Alsea faced a softer business environment. Market reports cited weak Q2 2026 results and soft Mexican consumption, adding pressure to a company already navigating weaker consumer demand in its home market.
Exact Q2 profit figures were not available in the sources reviewed. Still, the timing of the 2046 deal suggests a strategic move to lock in a core growth brand despite the near-term demand slowdown.
Mexico’s consumer spending has been under pressure from persistent inflation and cautious household budgets, a trend that directly affects discretionary purchases like premium coffee. For Alsea, which generates a substantial share of revenue domestically, this softness creates a tension between long-term store expansion and short-term same-store sales performance.
The company’s decision to proceed with the renewal anyway indicates management views the current consumption dip as cyclical rather than structural. That judgment will be tested in the coming quarters as new stores open into a still-uncertain demand environment.
What It Means for Foreign Investors
For expats and foreign investors watching Latin America, the Alsea Starbucks renewal signals confidence in the region’s long-term cafe culture, even as Mexico’s consumer engine sputters. The 12-market footprint gives Alsea geographic diversification beyond any single economy.
The 2026-2028 development commitments mean store counts and hiring should keep rising in the short term. Whether consumer spending rebounds enough to support those new outlets remains the open question for the quarters ahead.
Investors should note that Alsea is a publicly traded company on the Mexican Stock Exchange, meaning its financial performance is transparent and subject to quarterly reporting. The Starbucks renewal provides a predictable revenue stream that can anchor valuations during volatile periods.
For expats living in the region, the expansion promises more familiar cafe experiences in both major cities and secondary markets. The job creation angle also matters: each new store typically employs 10 to 15 people, making Starbucks a meaningful local employer in neighborhoods across the 12 countries.
What Happens Next
The immediate next step is the joint definition of 2026-2028 development targets, which both companies have committed to finalize. These targets will clarify exactly how many new stores are planned and where they will be located.
Market watchers will also be looking for Alsea’s upcoming quarterly results to see whether the weak Q2 trend continues or stabilizes. A recovery in Mexican consumer confidence would significantly improve the outlook for the renewed partnership.
Beyond the numbers, the renewal may open the door to operational innovations such as new store formats, enhanced digital ordering, or expanded loyalty programs tailored to Latin American consumers. These details typically emerge in the months following a major agreement.
For now, the 2046 end date gives both companies a generation-long runway to adapt to changing consumer habits, economic cycles, and competitive pressures across two continents.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the new Alsea Starbucks agreement?
The renewed license runs for 20 years, through 2046, covering all 12 markets where Alsea currently operates Starbucks stores. The agreement was announced on May 19, 2026, and includes joint development commitments for the 2026-2028 period.
How many Starbucks stores does Alsea operate?
As of March 2026, Alsea operated 1,969 Starbucks outlets, with 942 in Mexico and the rest spread across South America and Europe. Key markets include France with 261 stores, Spain with 198, Chile with 176, and Argentina with 134.
Why did Alsea renew while profits are down?
The renewal appears to be a long-term strategic move to secure a core growth brand, despite short-term pressure from weak Mexican consumer spending and a Q2 2026 profit drop. By locking in the agreement through 2046, Alsea ensures it retains a proven revenue generator while betting that current consumption weakness is temporary rather than permanent.