Philippines’ Jollibee in talks to sell a stake in Vietnam’s Highlands Coffee

JOLLIBEE Foods, the biggest fast-food operator in the Philippines, is in advanced discussions to sell a minority stake in its Vietnamese coffee chain Highlands Coffee, two sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters.

Jollibee, controlled by Philippine billionaire Tony Tan Caktiong, is considering a sale that could value the fast growing coffee chain at roughly US$800 million, one of the sources said, declining to be named as the information is confidential.

The group is looking to sell 10 per cent to 15 per cent of its stake in Highlands Coffee to an investor, the source added, declining to name the party.

Jollibee declined to comment. Highlands Coffee did not respond to Reuters requests seeking comment on Tuesday (Dec 6).

Jollibee initially bought a small stake in Highlands Coffee a decade ago and then took a controlling interest. Highlands Coffee, which was established in 1999, began as a coffee products packager in Hanoi and has since grown to become a chain with more than 500 stores in Vietnam and the Philippines.

The sources said the stake sale, if successful, could eventually pave the way for an IPO of Highlands Coffee, a move that Jollibee has been considering since many years.

Vietnam, with a population of 99 million, is Asia’s fastest growing economy with gross domestic product seen expanding 8 per cent this year and 6.5 per cent next year, the government said last month.

A boom in coffee drinking has spawned big domestic brands in South-east Asia. Last year, Indonesian coffee chain Kopi Kenangan was valued at more than US$1 billion in a funding exercise.

Jollibee has been rapidly expanding overseas and especially across South-east Asia, aiming to capture growing consumer spending in the region of some 680 million people.

Jollibee operates the largest food service network in the Philippines with more than 1,500 stores in 17 countries, including US brand Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and its own fast-food chain with the ubiquitous smiling bee logo. REUTERS