Who Owns Peet’s Coffee and Tea – Is It A Starbucks Brand?

Peet’s is one of the best known names in the entire coffee industry. With coffee shops spread across the US and their coffee beans on grocery store shelves throughout America, they are a huge player in the world of coffee.

But have you ever sipped on one of their signature roasts and wondered about the story behind the brand and who owns Peet’s Coffee?

In this article we’ll look at the history of Peet’s Coffee and Tea, their founder, and how the company grew to be a globally recognized name in the coffee industry. There will also be a special appearance from another of the world’s biggest coffee chains – Starbucks.

Ownership of Peet’s Coffee

Peet’s Coffee is currently owned by JAB Holding Company through its subsidiary, JDE Peet’s. The acquisition happened in 2012 when the luxury conglomerate expressed interest in expanding into the coffee business.

This ownership marked a new chapter in Peet’s story as it gained more significant exposure and resources to expand beyond its San Francisco Bay Area roots.

Acquisition of Mighty Leaf

As part of its growth strategy, Peet’s made a significant move in expanding its product portfolio through the acquisition of Mighty Leaf in 2014. This strategic partnership allowed Peet’s to offer an even wider range of products to customers.

Mighty Leaf was one of the top tea companies at the time. With this addition, Peet’s established itself as a leader in both the coffee and tea markets. The merger brought together two brands with a shared passion for delivering exceptional taste experiences while catering to the evolving preferences of coffee and tea drinkers.

Starbucks’ Ownership of Peet’s Coffee

The Starbucks coffee company, another industry behemoth, also has a close connection to Peet’s Coffee. In fact, Starbucks once owned a significant stake in Peet’s.

Back in 1984, when Starbucks was looking to expand their presence beyond Seattle, the founders – Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl and Gordon Bowker – acquired a majority ownership of Peet’s Coffee. This involved purchasing Peet’s 4 retail locations in the Bay Area.

Later, in 1987 the Starbucks founders sold their shares in Peet’s. However, Jerry Baldwin stayed on with the company, eventually becoming Peet’s CEO and later serving as the chairman of the board until 2001. 

While there is no longer any ownership link between Starbucks and Peet’s today, both companies continue to thrive independently in the specialty coffee market.

The History of Peet’s Coffee

Alfred Peet founded the first coffee shop in the San Francisco Bay Area, revolutionizing coffee expectations along the way. In 1966, Peet opened his first cafe in Berkeley, California, which quickly gained popularity in the local community.

With an uncompromising commitment to quality and craftsmanship, Peet revolutionized expectations of what a good cup of coffee should taste like.

His passion for sourcing only the best coffee beans from around the world set him apart from other coffee roasters at the time. By carefully selecting premium Arabica beans and focusing on small-batch roasting techniques, he elevated the art of coffee-making to new heights.

Today, Peet’s Coffee continues to honor their founder’s legacy by upholding his unwavering dedication to exceptional coffee drinks while maintaining their roots in the San Francisco Bay Area where it all began.

Expansion and Influence of Peet’s Coffee

Peet’s Coffee has experienced remarkable growth, becoming the largest publicly traded coffee company globally. Indeed, it has come a long way since its humble beginnings in California. 

Today, Peet’s is a force to be reckoned with in the coffee market. The company’s dedication to quality products and exceptional taste has resonated with coffee drinkers worldwide, solidifying its position as a trusted roaster and retailer of specialty coffees.

With numerous retail locations and countless branded coffees and beans under its belt, it continues to lead the way in the industry.

Summing Up

Regardless of whether you drink drip or espresso, you’ve likely tried a Peet’s blend at some point in time. But, the next time someone asks who owns Peet’s Coffee, you can proudly demonstrate your coffee knowledge. 

While the brand has changed hands several times over the years, including a brief stint under the stewardship of Starbuck’s founders, Peet’s is currently owned by the JAB Holding Company through its subsidiary JDE Peet’s. 

FAQs

Who owns Peet’s?

JAB Holding Company owns Peet’s Coffee Inc. JAB is a privately-held conglomerate based in Luxembourg and specializes in consumer goods. They also own several other coffee and tea brands, including Keurig Green Mountain, Stumptown Coffee Roasters, and Intelligentsia Coffee. 

Is Peet’s owned by Starbucks?

No, Peet’s is not owned by Starbucks. Although both are well-known coffee chains, Peet’s Coffee was founded in 1966 in Berkeley, California, while Starbucks was established in 1971 in Seattle, Washington. While Starbucks has expanded globally and acquired several coffee brands, Peet’s remains an independent company.

Is Peet’s Coffee family owned?

No, Peet’s Coffee is no longer family-owned. The company was originally set up in 1966 by Alfred Peet, but it was later sold to another company called Diedrich Coffee in 2003. In 2012, Diedrich Coffee was acquired by the German conglomerate JAB Holding Company, which still owns Peet’s Coffee today.

Is Peet’s coffee older than Starbucks?

Peet’s Coffee is indeed older than Starbucks. Alfred Peet opened the first Peet’s store in 1966, while Starbucks didn’t begin until 1971. Thus, Peet’s Coffee has a five-year head start in the coffee industry compared to its competitor, Starbucks.

What is the largest coffee producer company in the world?

The largest coffee producer company in the world is Nestle. Nestle produces a wide variety of coffee brands and owns popular coffee businesses such as Nescafe and Nespresso. With a global presence, Nestle has a significant market share in the coffee industry and is known for its high-quality and diverse coffee products.