Nestlé CEO downplays rumors of Blue Bottle Coffee sale

Nestlé CEO Philipp Navratil has said he has nothing to add to market "rumors" about a potential sale of the company's Blue Bottle Coffee brand.

"There were some rumors, so nothing to comment on at the moment," Navratil said Monday during his visit to Beijing for the China Development Forum 2026.

"Blue Bottle is a brand we acquired a long time ago. We've expanded it, particularly in China, and it's a brand that has been exciting here."

Acquired by Nestlé around a decade ago, Blue Bottle Coffee has seen growth primarily in the United States as well as select Asian markets.

Navratil's cautious remarks follow media reports suggesting that Centurium Capital, a major shareholder of Luckin Coffee, is negotiating to acquire the Blue Bottle chain for a figure approaching $400 million.