Nomura Expands Alternative Assets Strategy With Focus on Private Debt Acquisitions 
Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries 
Intel’s Testing of China-Linked Chipmaking Tools Raises U.S. National Security Concerns 
Evercore Reaffirms Alphabet’s Search Dominance as AI Competition Intensifies 
Asian Stocks Slide as Central Bank Decisions and Key Data Keep Investors Cautious 
SpaceX Begins IPO Preparations as Wall Street Banks Line Up for Advisory Roles 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
HSBC’s $13.6 Billion Take-Private Offer for Hang Seng Bank Gains Board Backing 
Russia Stocks End Flat as Energy and Retail Shares Show Mixed Performance 
Nvidia Weighs Expanding H200 AI Chip Production as China Demand Surges 
SK Hynix Considers U.S. ADR Listing to Boost Shareholder Value Amid Rising AI Chip Demand 
South Korea Extends Bond Market Stabilization Measures Amid Rising Financial Risks 
iRobot Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Amid Rising Competition and Tariff Pressures 
Strategy Retains Nasdaq 100 Spot Amid Growing Scrutiny of Bitcoin Treasury Model 
JD.com Pledges 22 Billion Yuan Housing Support for Couriers as China’s Instant Retail Competition Heats Up 
U.S. Stock Futures Mixed as Tech and AI Stocks Face Pressure Ahead of CPI Data 
A Twosome Place, a popular coffee chain in South Korea, is reportedly set to be acquired by The Carlyle Group, a Washington, D.C., headquartered private equity firm.
It was reported that the PEF company is planning to buy the no. 2 coffee chain brand in the country for about ₩800 billion or $669 million. The negotiation for the acquisition is said to be in the last stage and as per The Korea Times, the final agreement is already set to be signed soon.
Anchor Equity Partners, a Hong Kong-based private equity firm specializing in middle-market and consolidation investments in Asia, is the current owner of the A Twosome Place franchise and it is in ongoing talks with The Carlyle Group to finalize the deal. With the popularity of the brand and having a strong customer base, it was said that the company is expecting a 100% return of investment in just a few years.
In fact, A Twosome Place’s annual revenue has gone up to more than 10% year-on-year to ₩360 billion last year while its operating profit margin stood at 10%. One of the reasons for its growth is the company’s expansion of its delivery service amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Even with the crisis, the coffee house showed strong performance so it is really profitable.
The very first A Twosome Place was built in Sinchon in Seoul and it was opened in 2002. The coffee chain brand immediately grew until the business exceeded 1,400 branches and dozens are located overseas. It was CJ Foodville, a subsidiary of the CJ Group, that first launched this trendy coffee shop that also offers a range of baked goods.
This will be the first investment of The Carlyle Group in Korea in three years. It previously considered buying another Korean trending bakery brand, the Tous Les Jours, but the deal did not push through.
Meanwhile, it was in August when it was reported that A Twosome Place had been put up for sale. Pulse News reported that the Anchor Equity Partners has been approaching local and foreign companies for the acquisition investment and now, it is close to signing the deal with The Carlyle Group.
