Alsea SAB de CV : COFECE FULLY AUTHORIZED THE ACQUISITION OF VIPS BY ALSEA

Mexico, D.F., May 5th, 2014. Alsea, S.A.B. de C.V. (BMV: ALSEA*), the leading operator of Quick Service Restaurants, Coffee Shops, and Casual Dining establishments in Latin America, reports that, having met all the conditions set by the Comisión Federal de Competencia Económica - COFECE (The Federal Commission on Economic Competition), the latter has fully authorized the operation between Alsea and Wal- Mart de México, S.A.B. de C.V. (BMV: WALMEX) "Walmex" for Alsea to acquire 100% of VIPS, the restaurant division of Walmex.
Under the terms of the agreement, Alsea will purchase VIPS for $8,200 million pesos. VIPS operation includes a total of 361 restaurants: 263 units under the "Vips" flagship brand, 90 units under "El Portón", 6 units under "Ragazzi", and 2 units under "La Finca".
At December 31, 2013, VIPS' sales reached $6,124 million pesos and its EBITDA was $967 million pesos, which represents 39% of the sales and 47% of the EBITDA reported by Alsea at the end of 2013.
The operation will be financed through a long term loan for $3,000 million pesos and through a 12 month bridge loan facility for $5,200 million pesos.
Alsea and Walmex estimate that the closing of the operation will be settled in the upcoming days.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that reflect the current views and/or expectations of Alsea and its management with respect to its performance, business and future events. We use words such as "believe", "anticipate", "plan", "expect", "intend", "target", "estimate", "project", "predict", "forecast", "guideline", "should" and other similar expressions to iden tify forward-looking statements, but they are not the only way we identify such statements. Such statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. We caution you that a number of important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the p lans, objectives, expectations, estimates and intentions expr essed in this release. Alsea is under no obligation and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revised any forward-looking statements, whether as a results of new information, future events or otherwise.

Alsea is the largest restaurant operator in Latin America of global leading brands in the quick service, coffee shop and casual dining

segments. It has a diversified portfolio, with brands such as Domino's Pizza, Starbucks, Burger King, Chili's Grill & Bar, Ca lifornia Pizza Kitchen, P.F. Chang's, Pei-W ei, Italianni's and The Cheesecake Factory. At the close of March 2014, the company operated 1,881 units in Mexico, Argentina, Chile and Colombia. Alsea's business model includes support for its brands through a Shared Services Center that provides all of the Administrative and Development Processes, as well as the Supply Chain. The Company has more than 32,000 employees in four countries.

For more information visit: www.alsea.com.mx

Comunicación Corporativa Alsea Comunicación Corporativa Alsea

Telephone: 5241-7134 Telephone: 5241-7079

sgonzalez@alsea.com.mx mario.paez@alsea.com.mx

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