Independent investment and advisory group Anthem Asia has established a partnership with award-winning restaurant Rangoon Tea House, it said in a statement on September 23.
The partnership will enable the RTH group to expand its Rangoon Tea House restaurant and outside catering businesses as well develop new concepts and brands, Anthem Asia said.
Neither the size nor the structure of the investment is being disclosed, it said.
Rangoon Tea House opened in late 2014 in the heart of downtown Yangon’s heritage area and has become a popular dining venue for Myanmar and foreigners. The restaurant was founded by U Htet Myet Oo, who returned to Myanmar from Britain in late 2012.
“We are delighted to back founder Htet Myet Oo, co-owners such as Isabella Sway-Tin and Simon Sao, and the RTH team, and their ambitious plans to create a flagship Myanmar brand,” said Ms Josephine Price, co-founder and managing director of Anthem Asia.
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Htet Myet Oo said the Rangoon Tea House had pioneered “a forward-thinking twist” on traditional Myanmar dishes and the result was food that was modern and familiar in equal measure.
“Our goal is to offer a range of fabulous culinary experiences and highlight the wonderful – often underappreciated – quality food products available in Myanmar,” he said.
“With Anthem Asia as a partner, we will be able to accelerate our growth, enabling us to expand our current operations and roll out new services,” he added.
A larger restaurant and a Myanmar cocktail bar are due to open in November to replace Rangoon Tea House’s first-floor premises in an historic department store on Pansodan Street. RTH has also created a central kitchen and is expanding its outside catering services.
RTH is among a number of B2C and B2B investments Anthem Asia has made in Myanmar the past three years. The investments focus on domestic brands that serve growing consumer and urban demand, the statement said.