PRESS RELEASE – 1 NOVEMBER 2005 FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MINT MAKES FORBES’
“BEST UNDER A BILLION”
Minor International (MINT) has been selected by Forbes as one of Asia’s top 200 publicly listed companies with total sales
under US$1 billion. Following a comprehensive review of all of Asia’s publicly listed companies with revenue less than
US$1 billion, Forbes recognized MINT’s ability to consistently reward
shareholders with strong earnings growth and high returns on equity. Over the
past five years, MINT’s food service and hotel businesses combined to deliver 26%
average EPS growth and a 15% average return on equity. Forbes’ review of Asia’s “Best Under A Billion
Dollar” companies appeared in the magazine’s 31 October 2005 issue.
MINT’s EPS has increased at a 26% CAGR over the past five years on the
strength of its food and hotel businesses. Although the food business has grown
on the back of strong consumer demand for western food concepts in Thailand and
the hotel business has expanded with the strength and resilience of the Thai
tourism market, MINT has begun to supplement these businesses by expanding
internationally. Over the past year, MINT has introduced or franchised several
of its food brands in six Asian and Middle Eastern markets including China. MINT has
also recently entered into hotel management contracts for two hotels in Dubai which will open in
2007 and it has taken a 50% stake in three hotels in the Maldives which
will open 195 rooms between 4Q05 and 1Q06.
In 2004, MINT posted a 77% YoY increase in sales to US$201 million and a
78% YoY increase in earnings to US$18 million. During the first half of 2005,
MINT’s sales and earnings were up 32% and 78% YoY, respectively. MINT will
announce its 3Q05 financial results before November 15.
Minor International (MINT) is Thailand’s
largest food service operator with over 500 outlets system wide under The Pizza
Company, Swensen’s, Sizzler, Dairy Queen and Burger King brands. It is one of Thailand’s
leading hotel operators with a portfolio of ten hotels and over 2,100 rooms
under the Marriott, Four Seasons, Anantara, and Minor International brands in Thailand and Vietnam.
Through a joint venture with Marriott International, it has developed the 144
room Marriott Vacation Club Time Share in Phuket. It is also one of the largest
spa operators in the Asia Pacific region with 15 spas in Thailand and China under the
Mandara, the Spa and Anantara brands. MINT
trades on the Stock Exchange of Thailand and currently has a market
capitalization of US$375 million. For further
information, please refer to www.minornet.com
Press Contacts: James Fralick/ Pratana
Manomaiphiboon at Tel: (662) 381-5151