Can I franchise it in Vietnam? · coffee
Can you franchise Starbucks in Vietnam?
Short answer · Not open to individual franchisees
No. Starbucks does not franchise; it licenses each market to one large partner. In Vietnam that is Coffee Concepts, owned by Hong Kong's Maxim's, and the business is being transferred to DFI Retail Group.
Source: Starbucks Form 10-K FY2023 (1 Nov 2023) · Inside Retail Asia (2 Oct 2026)Starbucks in Vietnam: the facts
- Who runs itCoffee Concepts (Vietnam) Ltd, a subsidiary of Maxim's Group, since 2013. In October 2026 DFI Retail Group announced it would take over Maxim's Starbucks business in seven markets including Vietnam, with closing targeted by the end of Q1 2027.Source: Daily Coffee News (3 Jan 2013) · Inside Retail Asia (2 Oct 2026)
- In Vietnam sinceFirst store in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, in early 2013.Source: Daily Coffee News (3 Jan 2013)
- Stores150 (as of 2 January 2026). The 150th store opened in Ho Chi Minh City.Source: Tuoi Tre News (2 Jan 2026)
- What we found uniqueThe Vietnam licence is mid-transfer: DFI Retail Group is taking over from Maxim's, with closing targeted by the end of Q1 2027.Source: Inside Retail Asia (2 Oct 2026)
- Published terms (Global)Starbucks grants licences to large partners and earns licence fees and royalties; it publishes no fee schedule (2023 annual report).Source: Starbucks Form 10-K FY2023 (1 Nov 2023)
Timeline in Vietnam
- Jan 2013Entry announced through Maxim's.Source: Daily Coffee News (3 Jan 2013)
- Jan 2026150th store opens.Source: Tuoi Tre News (2 Jan 2026)
- Oct 2026DFI Retail Group announces takeover of the Maxim's Starbucks business, including Vietnam.Source: Inside Retail Asia (2 Oct 2026)
What to do instead
Most famous brands in Vietnam are run by one company that holds the national rights, so individuals cannot buy a unit. If you want a coffee business, look at brands that are actively seeking partners in Vietnam.
The brands below have told franchising.vn they are seeking partners in Vietnam. Their listing is their own statement, not a recommendation, and is unrelated to anything published about Starbucks here.
Stellarossa
Australian café craft. Vietnamese soul.
Seeking partners · South KoreaAngel-in-us Coffee
Trendy K-Coffee brand with the best quality and culture
Seeking partners · Sri LankaDilmah Urban Estate
Curated exploration of Ceylon's Finest
Seeking partners · MalaysiaTealive
The World's Cup of Tea
Read next
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy a Starbucks franchise in Vietnam?
No. Starbucks does not franchise; it licenses each market to one large partner. In Vietnam that is Coffee Concepts, owned by Hong Kong's Maxim's, and the business is being transferred to DFI Retail Group.
Who operates Starbucks in Vietnam?
Coffee Concepts (Vietnam) Ltd, a subsidiary of Maxim's Group, since 2013. In October 2026 DFI Retail Group announced it would take over Maxim's Starbucks business in seven markets including Vietnam, with closing targeted by the end of Q1 2027.
How much does a Starbucks franchise cost?
Starbucks grants licences to large partners and earns licence fees and royalties; it publishes no fee schedule (2023 annual report). (Global).
Sources
- Starbucks Form 10-K FY2023, 1 Nov 2023
- Inside Retail Asia, 2 Oct 2026
- Daily Coffee News, 3 Jan 2013
- Tuoi Tre News, 2 Jan 2026
Starbucks is a trademark of its owner. vietnamfranchise.net is not affiliated with Starbucks or its operator in Vietnam. Found an error? It will be logged on our corrections page.