One of Australia's wealthiest families, the Withers, plans to become a major player in the $2 billion retail coffee market after snapping up the local rights to the struggling Starbucks chain.

The Withers Group, which owns 7-Eleven, Australia's largest convenience and independent petrol retailer, has acquired the local Starbucks licence from its US parent and will take over all remaining 24 stores.

The Withers family plans to make Starbucks one of the major players in the Australian coffee market. Credit:AP

"Our aim will be to make Starbucks the most successful coffee chain in Australia," Withers Group chief executive Warren Wilmot said on Tuesday after the deal was disclosed to Starbucks's store managers and 500 staff.

"Our intention is to capitalise on the skills of the broader Withers group of companies in successfully bringing an international brand to Australia, and adapting it to suit the local market." he said.