Starbucks acquires Teavana for$620 million in all-cash deal

Seattle -- Starbucks Coffee Co. announced Wednesday it will acquire specialty tea chain Teavana Holdings for $620 million in a move to gain traction in the $40 billion global tea industry.



According to Starbucks chairman, president and CEO Howard Schultz, the coffee company plans to grow and expand Teavana’s 300 mall-based stores as well as add a neighborhood store concept to accelerate Teavana’s domestic and global footprint.



Teavana, based in Atlanta, went public in July 2011. Its founder Andrew Mack said the company will continue to operate from its Atlanta home base.



“Being part of Starbucks will give us access to incredible industry knowledge and know how as well as the financial strength to super charge our business and allow us to continue our rapid growth to the benefit of all our supporters, including our dedicated employees worldwide,” Mack said in a statement.