PE invests in Crystal Jade expansion

Standard Chartered Private Equity has invested in Crystal Jade Group to help Louis Vuitton accelerate the restaurant group’s Asian expansion.

Crystal Jade operates over 100 outlets ranging from fine dining, casual and specialty restaurants to bakeries across the Asia Pacific region with a primary focus in Singapore, Hong Kong and Mainland China. Established in the early 1990s, it has become a household name in Chinese cuisine.

SCPE has invested US$52 million in the business, joining Louis Vuitton’s investment arm L Capital Asia on the shareholder’s register.

The investment will primarily go towards funding the growth of Crystal Jade’s existing network of outlets across Asia, as well as the expansion of its footprint internationally.

Ravi Thakran, managing partner of L Capital Asia, said the two investors already have a track record of successful investment partnerships.

“Their investment will further strengthen the resources available to allow full exploitation of the tremendous growth opportunity for Crystal Jade.”

Nainesh Jaisingh, global co-head of private equity at SCPE, said Crystal Jade is an exciting business, with a strong Asian brand and significant potential across Standard Chartered’s footprint.

“We… look forward to building a great company together.”