India, Oct. 8 -- Starbucks (SBX) has explored a potential takeover of Chipotle Mexican Grill, a move that could create the largest deal in restaurant industry history.
The coffee chain has worked with advisers in recent months on a possible proposal for Chipotle, which had a market value of about $41 billion. It remains unclear whether Starbucks has made a formal offer, and the discussions could ultimately fail to produce a transaction.
Chipotle shares jumped 7.2 percent following the report, while Starbucks shares fell 4.4 percent, valuing the coffee company at about $102 billion. A deal would surpass Burger King's $11.4 billion acquisition of Tim Hortons in 2014.
The combined company generated nearly $50 billion in sales last year, wit...