Latest news with #LondonBagelMuseum
Time Out
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Korean bakery Standard Bun is selling its popular mocha bread in Singapore for two months
Koreaboos would have probably heard of London Bagel Museum or Soha Salt Pond, but there's another popular bakery in Seoul that's been making waves on the internet recently. Standard Bun, known for its fluffy dessert buns, is holding its first pop-up in Singapore at two locations: Suntec City and Bugis Junction. Here's your chance to get your hands on these viral bakes – simply head down to Suntec City from June 4 to August 3, or Bugis Junction from June 10 to July 14. If it's your first time hearing of the brand, Standard Bun is a Korean bakery chain which currently runs three outlets in Seoul. It's not to be confused with Standard Bread, another Korean bakery which is set to open in Singapore this year. Standard Bun recently drew long queues at its pop-up at The Hyundai Seoul – the upscale mall known as one of the filming sites of the hit Korean drama Queen of Tears. The bakery isn't just popular with locals, but has also attracted the attention of celebrities like K-pop group I-DLE, actor Lee Jin-Wook, and K-pop king G-Dragon himself. At its Singapore pop-ups, you can expect to find over 25 flavours of dessert buns and the bakery's famed house-aged maple butter ($2.90). These are stored in glass jars in-house and sold separately, meant to be spread over the buns and enjoyed together as a sweet-and-savoury pairing. Standard Bun's mocha bun ($3.90) is Korea's answer to the Rotiboy, with a dusting of mocha biscuit on top and a filling of soft butter in the middle. Fans of salt bread can try the salt mocha bun ($4.20), which is crowned with pearl salt flakes. Meanwhile, sweet tooths can go for the milk cream bun ($5.80), melon cream bun ($5.80), or cookie bun ($5.40). And for the ultimate indulgence, get the caramel bun ($5.60) or apple cinnamon bun ($5.60), stuffed with sweet caramel sauce or apple cinnamon jam that oozes out with each bite.
Korea Herald
12-02-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Private equity funds eye Korean F&B expansion
Korean franchises reemerge as investment hotspots amid steady market growth, rising global potential Private equity firms are increasingly acquiring South Korea's food and beverage companies, capitalizing on the sector's growth despite inflation and economic slowdown. LBM, operator of the popular bakery brand London Bagel Museum, is reportedly in the final stages of merger talks. The company has been exploring the sale of its controlling stake to several domestic and international private equity firms since last year, with a deal expected soon. Seoul-based PE firm JKL Partners emerged as a potential acquirer, although LBM has denied the report, stating that it is "focusing on securing new investments for overseas expansion," rather than pursuing a sale. LBM is preparing to enter Japan and Singapore, seeking a 300 billion won ($206.4 million) market valuation. Since the second half of last year, private equity firms have emerged as key players in driving M&As within Korea's food and beverage sector. In July 2024, Elevation Equity Partners Korea and Philippine food giant Jollibee jointly acquired Compose Coffee for 470 billion won. By investing in a joint venture between J&Partners and Quinvir Investment, Samhwa Foods took control of the viral yogurt brand Yoajung. Forest Partners is also in talks to acquire Myeong Ryun Jinsa Galbi for 160 billion won. Private equity firms are returning to Korea's food and beverage M&A market after a lull starting in 2021, spurred by global inflation and the COVID-19 pandemic. The sector has recently regained its appeal through steady growth. While the broader dining industry faces challenges from a slowing economy, leading franchises continue to perform well. Valuations have been bolstered by shifts during the pandemic era, including the rise of delivery-driven businesses and the growth of social media marketing. The growing global demand for Korean food, driven by the Korean cultural wave, has also fueled investor interest. Data shows that exports of Korean food reached $11.7 billion last year, up 6 percent on-year, with shipments to the US surging 20 percent. "The Korean food and beverage sector was once dubbed 'the grave of PEs' due to its limitations — a small domestic market and limited success abroad — despite its traditional appeal," said an official in the local PE industry. "However, recent global successes of Korean companies like Samyang Foods, coupled with the growing popularity of Korean cuisine, have fueled optimism that Korean food and beverage brands can expand internationally." More PE firms are specifically targeting international opportunities. Q Capital Partners and Koston Asia recently launched the sale process for the chicken franchise Norang Tongdak, while Compose Coffee's new owners plan to position the brand as an affordable coffee franchise spanning Southeast Asia. While concerns persist over the common PE strategy of scaling a company's value in the short term before reselling it for profit, many experts believe the advantages outweigh the drawbacks, especially as a PE acquisitions can inject vitality into the market. "While the benefits vary, PE ownership typically allows efficient resource allocation to drive value improvements, leveraging global networks and expertise from previous investments to facilitate expansion to the next level," the official said, noting that many firms are increasingly focusing on operations to drive positive corporate restructuring, rather than merely seeking profit. A prime example is Han & Co.'s acquisition of Namyang Dairy Products. The company ended a six-year loss streak and returned to profitability in 2024, within a year of the PE firm's leadership. It also made significant strides in restoring brand value, which had been tarnished by ownership issues, including former chairman and founder Hong Won-sik's abuse of power and embezzlement. Since KL&Partners acquired Mom's Touch in 2019, the brand has grown significantly. After delisting in 2022, KL&Partners focused on strategic value-enhancing, increasing revenue by 26 percent and tripling operating profit in just four years. The company has also expanded aggressively, entering Thailand in 2022, Mongolia in 2023, and Laos and Japan in 2024, with plans for Kazakhstan and Indonesia this year. A more favorable environment for franchise M&As is expected to revitalize stalled sales for several brands, including Affinity Equity Partners-owned Burger King Korea, which has been seeking a deal for years. Mom's Touch, which failed to secure a 1 trillion won valuation in a 2022 sale attempt, has reportedly reentered the market.
