Hua Xia Shi Bao·2025-11-11 00:49Core Insights - CPE Yuanfeng announced a strategic partnership with Burger King to establish a joint venture named "Burger King China" with an initial investment of $350 million to support expansion and operations [1][4] - CPE Yuanfeng will hold approximately 83% of the joint venture, while Restaurant Brands International (RBI) will retain about 17% [3] - The plan aims to increase the number of Burger King outlets in China from around 1,250 to over 4,000 by 2035, with a focus on sustainable same-store growth [4] Company Overview - The transaction is expected to be completed in Q1 2026, pending regulatory approvals [5] - RBI is one of the largest fast-food service groups globally, with over $45 billion in annual system sales and more than 32,000 restaurants in over 120 countries [5] - Burger King, founded in 1954, has over 19,000 locations worldwide and entered the Chinese market in 2005 [5] Financial Performance - RBI reported Q3 2025 revenue of $2.449 billion, a 6.9% year-over-year increase, and a net profit of $315 million, up 25% [5] - Burger King's sales for the same period reached $2.96 billion, reflecting a 2.3% year-over-year growth [5] Market Context - Since RBI took full control of Burger King China in February 2025, it has invested over $100 million to accelerate localization efforts, including appointing experienced executives from the Chinese food and beverage industry [5][6] - As of now, Burger King China operates approximately 1,300 stores, serving nearly 150 million customers annually, although it has closed over 170 locations since the end of 2024 [6] Competitive Landscape - CPE Yuanfeng, established in 2008, manages over 100 billion yuan in assets and has invested in various well-known companies in the consumer services sector [6] - The recent sale of a majority stake in Starbucks' China operations to Boyu Capital highlights ongoing shifts in the competitive landscape of the restaurant industry in China [7]