Minor International Public Company Limited

The Minor Food Group Strengthens its International Presence in the Maldives and the MENA Region

Bangkok, 8 July 2013: The Minor Food Group, a Thai based leading food operator, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Minor International, has announced its business expansion of casual dining restaurants in the Maldives and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

Maldives: On July 8, 2013, the official opening of the Food Court, held at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport of the Maldives, was presided over by His Excellency President Mr. Mohamed Waheed Hassen Manik and His Excellency Mr. Mahamed Nazim, Minister of Defense and National Security. The four restaurant brands that opened at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport include Burger King, Swensen's, The Coffee Club, and Thai Express, which have proven successful in other international markets. Each represents four completely different and unique dining experiences.

The two outlets of Burger King, one of the largest global burger chains in the world, will cater to travelers who are looking for quick premium quality burgers. With its two outlets, Swensen's is targeting to provide a unique and fun experience where travelers enjoy premium ice cream and its richness. The Coffee Club, one of Australia's fastest growing and best known restaurant franchisors, also opened two outlets which provide great coffee and an all-day menu, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner with the relaxed and casual atmosphere of the cafe. An outlet of Thai Express, a casual Thai restaurant, offers travelers with authentic Thai cuisine amidst a relaxed yet contemporary ambiance at very reasonable prices.

MENA Region: In addition, the Minor Food Group entered into a partnership with Al Nasser Holdings to expand its restaurant business of owning, operating and franchising the Minor Food Group’s brands in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Al Nasser is a multi-disciplined business conglomerate with financial capability and experience in retail business in the Gulf Region. This marks the Minor Food Group’s commitment to the promising potentials in the MENA region. The partnership also reiterates the Minor Food Group’s aspiration to increase its overseas revenue contribution to over 30% over the next five years. Under the partnership, the initial plan is to open The Coffee Club outlets in the UAE.

Minor International first set its hospitality footprint in the Maldives in 2005. Today, the Company operates six luxury hotels in the Maldives under Anantara, Naladhu and the latest addition, Per Aquum brands. Minor International first entered the Middle East in 2004 with the launch of The Pizza Company. Today, the Company operates 18 restaurants under The Pizza Company, The Coffee Club and Ribs and Rumps in UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Egypt and manages five hotels in the Middle East under Anantara and Oaks brands.

“With over 7 years of experience operating food and hospitality businesses in the Maldives, we are very excited to bring these popular international restaurant concepts to one of the most well-known vacation destinations in the world. For the Middle East, with Al Nasser’s network and locality expertise, together with our strength as experienced restaurant operator, I am very confident that together we can make the business prosper rapidly over the years.” says Mr. Heinecke, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Minor International.

Mr. Paul Kenny, Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Minor Food Group, added “We see the opportunity to grow more significantly in the Maldives on the back of vast tourist inflow, improving infrastructure and the need to cater to the locals, and in the MENA region because of the high GDP growth and GDP per capita and consumer spending power, especially in the GCC countries.. We are confident that we can replicate the success that we had with these brands in Thailand and elsewhere in the Maldives and the MENA region.”

Editor Notes:
About Minor International: Minor International (MINT) is a global company focused on three primary businesses including restaurants, hotels and lifestyle brands distribution. MINT is one of Asia’s largest restaurant companies with over 1,400 outlets operating system wide in 17 countries under The Pizza Company, Swensen’s, Sizzler, Dairy Queen, Burger King, Thai Express, the Coffee Club, Ribs and Rumps and Riverside brands. MINT is also a hotel owner, operator and investor with a portfolio of 49 hotels and 42 serviced suites under the Anantara, Avani, Oaks, Per Aquum, Marriott, Four Seasons, St. Regis, Elewana and Minor International brands in Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, the Maldives, Vietnam, Tanzania, Kenya, the Middle East, Sri Lanka, China, Malaysia and Indonesia. MINT is one of Thailand’s largest distributors of lifestyle brands focusing primarily on fashion, cosmetics and contract manufacturing. Its brands include Gap, Esprit, Bossini, Charles & Keith, Pedro, Red Earth, Tumi, Zwilling J.A. Henckels, ETL Learning and Thaisale. For more information, please visit www.minorinternational.com

Press Contacts:

The Minor Food Group PR Office:
Tel: + 66 (0) 2 365 6999
Ardhawadee Jiramaneekul
Group PR Manager
Email: ardhawadee_ji@minornet.com

Minor International Investor Relations Office
Chaiyapat Paitoon
VP Strategic Planning
Email: chaiyapat_pa@minornet.com

Jutatip Adulbhan
Group Investor Relations Director
Email: jutatip ad@minornet.com