AP via The
Miami Herald
January 03, 2013
NEW YORK -- The
competition to buy a small coffee chain is getting steamy, with Starbucks and
actor Patrick Dempsey among those vying to become its new owners.
Starbucks Corp.
confirmed that it is participating in a bankruptcy auction Thursday to buy
Tully's Coffee, which has 47 company-owned locations in Washington and
California. Tully's filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in October.
Dempsey, who gained
the nickname "McDreamy" on the TV show "Grey's Anatomy" set
in a fictional Seattle hospital, also said last week that he wants to rescue
the chain. Also in the running is Baristas Coffee, which operates a chain of
drive-thru espresso stands featuring female employees in skimpy outfits.
A representative for
Starbucks declined to provide details of the company's bid, citing the court's
confidentiality orders. But last week, the Seattle Times reported that
Starbucks only wants to buy about half of Tully's chains. Both chains are based
in Seattle.
The auction process is
not public. The outcome is expected to be filed in court Friday.