Starbucks $SBUX CEO Brian Niccol says the company could eventually expand beyond coffee and become a multi-brand business, similar to Yum Brands, which owns Taco Bell and KFC.
“Our scale provides an opportunity to go beyond just being a one-brand company.”
“You put other businesses into a portfolio that can leverage the strength of Starbucks — that could be an interesting proposition, down the road.”
Niccol added that he would “never say never” to acquisitions, although Starbucks remains focused on its own turnaround and doesn't need deals to meet its growth targets.
The comments come weeks after Starbucks dismissed rumors of a potential Chipotle takeover.