According to media reports, the German Krueger GmbH took a license from Starbucks.
The license is for coffee capsules, the machines will be provided by Starbucks. The license is global.
Krueger is the European leader in instant products and is active in the USA and Asia too.
It is an interesting license. Hardly any brand successfully demands a price for coffee per gram like Starbucks. And in terms of brand recognition Starbucks might even beat current market leader Nespresso. At least in the USA.
For Starbucks the license means another step away from freshly brewed coffee. From service to DIY.