Firms serve food distributor Kobe Bussan and restaurant chain operator Gourmet Kineya on establishing their Meal Hub joint venture as well as acquiring the airline catering business LSG Asia-Pacific from Aurelius Group for an undisclosed amount.
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (HSF Kramer) and Japanese law firm Oh-Ebashi LPC & Partners advised both Kobe Bussan and Gourmet Kineya, while Baker McKenzie acted for global private equity investor Aurelius Group.
Acting as international counsel, Tokyo partner Joseph Fisher led the HSF Kramer team.
“We advised on the standard merger filing and FDI analysis, as well as industry specific licensing. The transaction progressed very smoothly with both parties and their advisers working efficiently and diligently to complete signing in under six months,” Fisher told Asia Business Law Journal.
Oh-Ebashi LPC & Partners served as lead counsel, advising Kobe Bussan and Gourmet Kineya on the Japanese law aspects of the transaction.
Baker McKenzie assisted Aurelius Group on the sale of LSG Asia-Pacific, with London-based M&A partner Ash Chandhok Tiwari and Munich-based partner Jakub Lorys leading the team.
Under the Meal Hub joint venture, Kobe Bussan and Gourmet Kineya will add airline catering businesses in Hong Kong, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand and Canada.
The transaction is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions.
Kobe Bussan operates food production plants in 27 locations across Japan, imports products for its wholesale and retail business, and operates the Gyomu Super stores in the country.
Tokyo stock exchange-listed Gourmet Kineya operates multiple restaurant brands, including Don Don Tei, domestically and overseas as well as manufacturing and supplying inflight meals.
