Private equity firm MBK Partners has won an ultra-competitive bidding process for the Japan, South Korea, Australia and future New Zealand operations of Belgium-based premium chocolatier Godiva.
According to sources close to the deal, MBK fought off a mixture of global and Asian-based private equity firms to close the transaction at the last minute.
Whilst terms have not been formally disclosed, recent estimates put the size of the deal in the $1 billion to $1.5 billion bracket.
“We have long treasured the Godiva brand and believe it represents significant upside for any investor,” said Nurtac Afridi, head of strategy and MA for Yildiz...