Keurig Dr Pepper Inc. is reportedly on the verge of striking an approximately $18 billion deal to acquire Dutch coffee heavyweight JDE Peet’s NV, according to the Wall Street Journal. The proposed merger could represent a bold pivot in strategy for the Texas-based beverage giant.
If completed, the deal would undo Keurig Dr Pepper’s 2018 union of Dr Pepper and Keurig by splitting its beverage and coffee units into separate entities. In the years since that merger, the beverage side—home to soda brands like Dr Pepper, Snapple, and 7-Up—has thrived, while the coffee division has consistently underperformed..
A Strategic Reset in Motion
Keurig Dr Pepper boasts a market valuation of around $47–50 billion, encompassing a vast portfolio of more than 125 brands, among them Green Mountain Coffee, Canada Dry, and Tully’s Coffee. Meanwhile, JDE Peet’s, based in Amsterdam, commands a market value of approximately $15 billion, with a portfolio that spans 50+ brands, including Peet’s Coffee, Douwe Egberts, Kenco, Maxwell House, L’Or, Tassimo, and Stumptown Coffee Roasters.
Adding to the financial appeal, JDE Peet’s posted strong half-year adjusted operating earnings of €709 million (roughly $831 million), prompting the company to raise its full-year forecast. On the stock market, JDE Peet’s shares have jumped about 61% year-to-date, while Keurig Dr Pepper’s stock is up 9%, slightly lagging behind the 10% gain of the S&P 500 in 2025.
Heading: Brewing a Focus on Value and Separation
JAB Holdings—JDE Peet’s majority investor and still a minority stakeholder in Keurig Dr Pepper—backs the deal and the planned separation. By disentangling the coffee business from the stronger-performing soft drinks arm, JAB believes each segment could unlock greater value independently.
Keurig Dr Pepper has recently favored opportunistic acquisitions in the beverage space, such as the $1 billion deal for a 60% stake in Ghost, an energy drink brand, with plans to acquire the rest by 2028. Against this backdrop, acquiring JDE Peet’s may provide the coffee portfolio with the size, scale, and international clout it needs to flourish—under a more dedicated and focused structure.
What This Means for Consumers and Industry
For consumers, the merger could translate into broader access to premium global coffee offerings via Keurig’s extensive U.S. distribution and retail footprint. Fans of brands like Douwe Egberts or Tassimo might find them more readily available at supermarkets and cafes across North America.
From an industry standpoint, this maneuver positions Keurig Dr Pepper to better compete with heavyweights like Nestlé and Starbucks, particularly in the specialty, packaged, and global coffee markets, which continue to show robust demand.
Next Moves and Market Watch
The deal is reportedly nearing its final stages, with potential for an official announcement as early as Monday, provided no last-minute snags emerge. For now, neither Keurig Dr Pepper nor JDE Peet’s has confirmed the deal, leaving investors and industry observers on alert.
Summary Table
| Key Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Deal Value | About $18 billion |
| Companies | Keurig Dr Pepper ( |
| Post-Merger Plan | Split into separate beverage and coffee entities |
| JDE Peet’s Highlights | €709M (H1 adjusted earnings), ~61% YTD stock gain |
| Keurig Highlights | 125+ beverage brands; 9% stock gain in 2025; major GHOST energy-drink investment |
| Strategic Aim | Refocus on core strengths and unlock value via separation |
| Expected Timeline | Possible announcement early next week |
Summary
- Keurig Dr Pepper may soon acquire JDE Peet’s in a deal near $18 billion
- The merger would reverse the 2018 Dr Pepper–Keurig union by separately spinning off beverage and coffee businesses
- JDE Peet’s brings financial strength, international brands, and market momentum
- The acquisition reflects a strategic refocus on beverage and coffee as standalone growth engines
- Confirmation of the deal could come as early as next week, contingent on final negotiations
