KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 23): Sushi operator Empire Premium Food Bhd (KL:EMPIRE), which was listed just five months ago, is keeping the door open to future acquisitions in the food and beverage (F&B) sector, backed by its strong balance sheet.
Such a move would be more opportunistic, its chief executive officer Nicole Lim told reporters after Empire Premium’s annual general meeting.
For now, the group is prioritising the nationwide expansion of its flagship Empire Sushi brand, with Lim saying the chain has room to add to over 150 stores over the next few years.
“Now we focus on the expansion of Empire Sushi outlets nationwide. Empire still can open another 150 stores for another three to five years because we still have many opportunities. So, if the right opportunity is there, then probably we will consider it,” she said.
As at end-June, Empire Premium had RM222.3 million in cash, deposits and short-term investments, with no borrowings. Its total equity stood at RM235.7 million, against total liabilities of RM58.9 million.
WATCH: Empire Premium sees room for another 150 outlets nationwide
Listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia in April, Empire Premium currently operates 143 Empire Sushi outlets across all states and federal territories in Malaysia. The group plans to open 56 additional outlets nationwide over the next three financial years.
Lim said she is confident about Empire Premium’s FY2027 prospects, with continued outlet expansion expected to support growth. Despite rising costs, particularly logistics expenses, she said the group has no plans to pass them on to customers for now, while targeting to maintain its FY2026 profit margin.
Empire Premium’s net profit margin stood at 16.4% in FY2026, excluding one-off listing expenses, up from 16.1% in FY2025 and 14.2% in FY2024.
On its latest financial results, the group posted RM10.85 million in net profit on revenue of RM84.68 million for the first quarter ended June 30, 2026 (1QFY2027), amid higher sales of sushi and related F&B products, including sauces and condiments such as soy sauce and wasabi, as well as beverages sold at its sushi outlets.
At the time of writing on Wednesday, Empire Premium's share declined three sen or 3.41% to 85 sen, giving the company a market capitalisation of RM940.5 million. Its share price has fallen more than 17% year to date.