Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by gaijin

IPO : Empire Sushi

gaijin — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 16:46:29 +0800

Source: https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/797270

QUOTE

KUALA LUMPUR (March 25): Empire Premium Food Bhd, the operator of Empire Sushi chain, on Wednesday launched its Main Market listing, which will raise some RM254 million.

The initial public offering (IPO), indicatively priced at 70 sen a piece, will raise RM152.6 million for the company and another RM101.5 million for Jordan Tan and Nicole Lim, the husband-and-wife co-founders of Empire Premium, according to its official prospectus.

Applications for the retail offering will close on March 31, while order-taking for the institutional tranche will end on April 1. The final price will be the lower of the retail price or the institutional price following bookbuilding.

The IPO is expected to be priced on April 7 and listing has been scheduled for April 17.

Empire Premium will have a market capitalisation of RM770 million upon listing based on the IPO price, valuing the company at 20 times its earnings for the financial year ended March 31, 2025 (FY2025).

Empire Premium Food CEO Nicole Lim
Empire Premium currently owns 143 outlets, out of which 127 are takeaway stores and 16 quick dine-in eateries. In FY2025, the company made a net profit of RM37.92 million on revenue of RM235.6 million.

Over the next three years, the group is targeting the opening of 56 new outlets over the next three years, as it accelerates domestic expansion.

Lim, the chief executive of Empire Premium, said the group will expand nationwide without focusing on specific regions, prioritising prime locations such as shopping centres, airports and transit hubs to capture consumer demand.

Empire Premium Food CFO Jack Lim
Meanwhile, chief financial officer Jack Lim, who is also Nicole’s brother, said the company has allocated about RM79.1 million, or 51.8% of the proceeds from the IPO's public issue, for the expansion.

Jack said the average payback period for new outlets is about nine months, with capital expenditure ranging from RM550,000 for grab-and-go outlets to about RM1 million for quick dining formats.

The group expects same-store sales growth of 3% to 5% for the financial year, supported by stronger performance in the second half, which typically includes peak festive periods. For the six months ended Sept 30, 2025 (1HFY2026), the group registered same-store sales growth of 1.6%

To sustain margins amid rising costs, Nicole said the company refreshes its menu every quarter, replacing underperforming items with new or higher-margin offerings to drive sales.

She added that operational efficiency is supported by standard operating procedures that keep wastage at around 7%, balancing inventory control with product availability.

Nearly all outlets are halal-certified, with newly opened stores undergoing certification processes that typically take up to six months.

On operational challenges, she said staff training remains a key focus due to the technical skills required in sushi preparation, while maintaining product quality is critical as the network expands.

Nicole said the company will prioritise organic growth and quality control over franchising, while leveraging its listing to attract professional talent and strengthen long-term sustainability.

From the IPO proceeds, Empire Premium is also allocating RM52.1 million (34.1%) for working capital, RM12.6 million (8.3%) to upgrade and refurbish existing outlets and the rest for listing expenses.

Maybank Investment Bank is the principal adviser, sole placement agent, sole bookrunner and sole bookrunner and sole underwriter for the IPO.

Can ignore debit card for savings acct ?

gaijin — Wed, 08 May 2024 19:12:34 +0800

So banks issue debit card / atm for new savings account.

These cards usually valid for 5 years and likely have charges per year and also during renewal.

Question :
- when open new account and receive new debit card, can I skip activation ?
- if card expired for existing account, don't renew ?

No active card = no fees / renewal hassle

Dont need card to withdraw money .... all online right ?

WISE card vs BIGPAY card

gaijin — Thu, 01 Dec 2022 08:48:32 +0800

Sorry if there is a duplicate topic on this , but hoping to see if anyone did a comparison on same day eg EURO or GBP

Thanks in advance

Kastam code for art /painting with least duty

gaijin — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 07:45:19 +0800

Thinking of buying few pieces of framed art

Anyone knows best kastam code to declare for lowest duty/ tax?

Kastam code for art /painting with least duty

gaijin — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 22:40:08 +0800

Thinking of buying few pieces of framed art

Anyone knows best kastam code to declare for lowest duty/ tax?

Got nice satay during weekday lunch time?

gaijin — Mon, 13 Feb 2017 09:00:27 +0800

Any recommendation for weekday lunch hours?

Jam back to kl

gaijin — Mon, 30 Jan 2017 23:43:20 +0800

Heard friends report today :

3.5 hours from ipoh to kl when left at 12pm
6 5 hours from ipoh to kl when left at 3+pm
?? hours from kluang to kl when left 1pm

All working tomorro must be

AV receivers audio mode /DSP

gaijin — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 16:41:52 +0800

I have old DD5.1yamahas and recent dts hd denon av receivers.

I noticed that none of them sound options eg DTS NEO OR PROLOGIC, PURE/DIRECT, HALL, SURROUND, etc really shows the actual signal coming from the source (BLURAY/DVD) in the OSD. I only see the name of DSP/mode on display.

Is there a way to show the source audio type on screen eg dolby atmos, dts hd, dd plus, dolby tru hd, etc?

So which ones do you normally use for movies or music?

Example :

Recommend me subwoofer rm1+k range

gaijin — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 00:59:57 +0800

Any good recommendation of subs within rm1k price range?

Can buy online or shops?

Where can listen demos?

Lazada seller - PRO AV

gaijin — Thu, 15 Dec 2016 11:31:19 +0800

This seller has quite a few AV products on lazada and i would like to contact them dkrectly

Anyone know their contact details?

I tried google but not found

Genting free hotel and meals

gaijin — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 06:21:36 +0800

Got friend always enjoy free stay and meals there

Is it due to many gambling activity? Or is due to some checkin checkout system in casino without playing?

Cant be so easy to get free stuff

HITZ FM morning crew, what happened to Ean?

gaijin — Wed, 16 Nov 2016 06:46:30 +0800

No announcement at all, gone from morning program, thought short leave but its been months

Got scandal? Gossip?

Renew passport, which recommended location?

gaijin — Sun, 23 Oct 2016 22:46:37 +0800

Heard kelana jaya is packed even on weekdays.

Heard UTC sentul is not busy but location not preferred for me.

Any suggestion for weekdays and any field report will be helpful ?

Where do pretty girls work? Rare sight.

gaijin — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 09:26:25 +0800

Just curious to know.

Worldwide box office results - all time

gaijin — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:11:35 +0800

http://www.imdb.com/boxoffice/alltimegross?region=world-wide

Last update: 2 August 2009

QUOTE

Rank Title Worldwide Box Office
1. Titanic (1997) $1,835,300,000
2. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) $1,129,219,252
3. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006) $1,060,332,628
4. The Dark Knight (2008) $1,001,921,825
5. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) $968,657,891
6. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007) $958,404,152
7. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007) $937,000,866
8. Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) $922,379,000
9. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) $921,600,000
10. Jurassic Park (1993) $919,700,000
11. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) $892,194,397
12. Spider-Man 3 (2007) $885,430,303
13. Shrek 2 (2004) $880,871,036
14. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) $866,300,000
15. Finding Nemo (2003) $865,000,000
16. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) $860,700,000
17. Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005) $848,462,555
18. Independence Day (1996) $811,200,000
19. Spider-Man (2002) $806,700,000
20. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009) $801,301,000
21. Star Wars (1977) $797,900,000
22. Shrek the Third (2007) $791,106,665
23. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) $789,458,727
24. Spider-Man 2 (2004) $783,577,893
25. The Lion King (1994) $783,400,000
26. Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) $783,011,114
27. The Da Vinci Code (2006) $757,236,138
28. E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) $756,700,000
29. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) $738,809,845
30. The Matrix Reloaded (2003) $735,600,000
31. Transformers (2007) $700,759,914
32. Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (2009) $687,042,789
33. Forrest Gump (1994) $679,400,000
34. The Sixth Sense (1999) $661,500,000
35. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009) $660,763,000
36. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003) $653,200,000
37. Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002) $648,200,000
38. Kung Fu Panda (2008) $633,395,021
39. The Incredibles (2004) $624,037,578
40. Ice Age: The Meltdown (2006) $623,829,763
41. Hancock (2008) $623,546,274
42. Ratatouille (2007) $615,935,493
43. The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) $614,300,000
44. The Passion of the Christ (2004) $604,370,943
45. Mamma Mia! (2008) $601,204,210
46. Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (2008) $594,082,968
47. War of the Worlds (2005) $591,377,056
48. Casino Royale (2006) $587,607,184
49. Men in Black (1997) $587,200,000
50. I Am Legend (2007) $583,986,216
51. Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) $572,700,000
52. Iron Man (2008) $571,827,600
53. Night at the Museum (2006) $571,063,268
54. Quantum of Solace (2008) $569,968,427
55. Armageddon (1998/I) $554,600,000
56. King Kong (2005) $547,051,260
57. Mission: Impossible II (2000) $545,300,000
58. Home Alone (1990) $533,800,000
59. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) $533,800,000
60. WALL·E (2008) $532,506,889
61. Monsters, Inc. (2001) $528,900,000
62. The Day After Tomorrow (2004) $527,939,919
63. The Simpsons Movie (2007) $525,532,370
64. Ghost (1990) $517,600,000
65. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) $516,800,000
66. Aladdin (1992) $501,900,000
67. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) $494,800,000
68. Twister (1996) $494,700,000
69. Toy Story 2 (1999) $485,700,000
70. Troy (2004) $481,228,348
71. Angels & Demons (2009) $480,615,117
72. Saving Private Ryan (1998) $479,300,000
73. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) $471,856,431
74. Jaws (1975) $470,600,000
75. Pretty Woman (1990) $463,400,000
76. Bruce Almighty (2003) $458,900,000
77. 300 (2006) $456,592,590
78. The Matrix (1999) $456,300,000
79. Gladiator (2000) $456,200,000
80. X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) $455,260,014
81. Shrek (2001) $455,100,000
82. Cars (2006) $454,752,771
83. National Treasure: Book of Secrets (2007) $453,961,501
84. Mission: Impossible (1996) $452,500,000
85. Pearl Harbor (2001) $450,400,000
86. Ocean's Eleven (2001) $444,200,000
87. The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) $440,725,045
88. The Last Samurai (2003) $435,400,000
89. Tarzan (1999) $435,200,000
90. Meet the Fockers (2004) $432,667,575
91. Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005) $427,936,103
92. Men in Black II (2002) $425,600,000
93. Die Another Day (2002) $424,700,000
94. Dances with Wolves (1990) $424,200,000
95. The Matrix Revolutions (2003) $424,000,000
96. Cast Away (2000) $424,000,000
97. Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) $423,200,000
98. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008) $418,814,023
99. The Mummy Returns (2001) $418,700,000
100. Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003) $418,200,000

The table above includes movies that have grossed over $200,000,000 at the box office during their theatrical runs.

All amounts are in USA dollars and only include theatrical box office receipts (movie ticket sales) and do not include video rentals, television rights and other revenues. Totals may include theatrical re-release receipts. Figures are not adjusted for inflation.

Some movies may still be in general release; all figures are estimated and subject to change.

Radiation levels - Plasma vs LCD vs CRT

gaijin — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 22:41:33 +0800

Remember how adults always tell kids not to watch tv, at short distance? Will spoil the eyes? Those were the CRT days.

And now it's the Plasma and LCD era.

Problem is worse or better? Kids should watch even further away? Screen size is getting bigger and bigger, unlike those CRT days.

[addedon]January 2, 2008, 10:43 pm[/addedon]Same goes to computer use. Used to be CRT screens and many offices use those screen shields.

And now it's LCD. Better or worse radiation?

Sell car on our own is dangerous? Any experience?

gaijin — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 23:00:56 +0800

Sell to dealer gets lousy price.

But sell on our own, seems to hear stories of cars being stolen/hijack during testdrive.

So how?

Any advice or real news/ experiences?

New Mitsubishi Grandis 2.4 only 160k

gaijin — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 22:49:36 +0800

Heard it's much cheaper now compared to previous release (200k?)

How is its reputation?

Seems service is via EON .... is that a good thing? Giving 5 yrs warranty ! Good buy?

Dizzy when playing FPS

gaijin — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 20:59:47 +0800

Last time, whenever I play first person shooter (FPS) games on PC or old consoles eg. saturn, playstation, etc., I always feel dizzy and nausea.

Knowing most popular games on PS3 and XBOX360 are FPS kind, would I still be dizzy? Or is the graphics/motion better now, I won't have to worry? Anyone who has my dizzy problem before and gotten new consoles?

New car vs 2nd hand car,why buy new car?

gaijin — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 11:58:40 +0800

Looking at the prices, after 1 year, cars loses 20 to 60k !! Why not just buy over 1 year car, still got warranty for some too.

Is there a reason why people are rushing to book and wait long long for new cars, only to lose money faster in initial years?

Looking at some examples, Honda Accord and Camry loses 40k first year, Honda CT loses 10k, etc.