Wildflour secures $15-M investment from KV Asia Capital

MANILA, Philippines — Wildflour Hospitality Group, led by businesswoman and CEO Ana Lorenzana de Ocampo, secured roughly P840 million in investment from private equity firm KV Asia Capital, which picked the casual dining restaurant group for its first foray in the Philippines.

The investment by KV Asia comes ahead of Wildflour’s planned initial public offering, which sources said could happen within the next two years.

Singapore-based KV Asia Capital is focused on making equity investments in quality mid-sized companies across Southeast Asia.

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One source familiar with the matter told the Inquirer the investment was worth about $15 million for about 25 percent of Wildflour.

Wildflour was founded in 2012 by siblings Ocampo and Margarita Manzke. Over the past decade, the restaurant group has “established itself as one of the leading and fastest growing premium casual restaurant operators in the country”.

Its present portfolio spans eight main concept brands in 18 locations across about 50 spaces situated in strategic and prime locations across greater Metro Manila.

25% stake in company

Additional capital from KV Asia, which was not detailed, will help bankroll the reopening and expansion of Pink’s Burger, Hotdogs and Shakes in Bonifacio Global City and the opening of at least 10 additional new locations over the next 18 months.

“These are exciting times for Wildflour, and marks another key milestone in our growth story. Our partnership with KV Asia is a perfect marriage between our rapidly evolving food and beverage organization and a partner that will help accelerate our expansion timelines and take our growth trajectory to new markets in the coming years,” De Ocampo said.

“Wildflour commits to staying true to its core ideals of creating even better dining experiences for each and every guest that we have become known for in the last 12 years,” she added.

The group’s diverse offering of brands include Wildflour Restaurant, George & Onnie’s Filipino Restaurant, Wildflour Italian, Pink’s Burgers, Hotdogs and Shakes, and Farmacy Ice Cream and Soda Fountain.

Diverse offering

Recently launched concepts include Little Flour Café and Pizza Sisters, and soon-to-launch Kei Maki and Antica Osteria.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to partner with the creative and entrepreneurial management team of Wildflour as it continues to build a restaurant group that delivers at scale a consistently high quality food offering and customer experience,” said Mark de Venecia, partner at KV Asia.

“Given its brand equity and resonance with customers, we believe Wildflour is well-positioned to further expand its footprint and cement its leading position in the premium casual restaurant sector,” he added.