Carlyle Group and Sequoia Capital China Make Offer to Buy China's 7 Days Group for $625 Million
GUANGZHOU, China - September 28, 2012 - 7 Days Group Holdings Limited (NYSE: SVN; "7 Days Group" or the "Company"), a leading economy hotel chain based in China, announced today that its board of directors has received a proposal letter dated September 26, 2012 from certain existing shareholders of the Company, including Mr. Boquan He, Mr. Nanyan Zheng and their respective affiliates, and joint sponsors, including the Carlyle Group and Sequoia Capital China and their respective affiliates (collectively, the "Consortium Members"), to acquire all of the outstanding shares of the Company not currently owned by the existing shareholders in a going private transaction (the "Transaction") for US$4.2333 per ordinary share of the Company and US$12.70 per American Depositary share ("ADS", each ADS representing 3 ordinary shares of the Company), as the case may be, in cash, subject to certain conditions.
According to the proposal letter, the Consortium Members intend to form an acquisition vehicle for the purpose of implementing the Transaction, and the Transaction is intended to be financed with a combination of equity capital funded by the Consortium Members and third-party debt. A copy of the proposal letter is attached hereto as Exhibit A.
The Company expects that its board of directors will form a special committee consisting of independent directors (the "Independent Committee") to consider this proposal. The Company also expects that the Independent Committee will retain a financial advisor and legal counsel to assist it in its work. The Company cautions its shareholders and others considering trading in its securities that the board just received the non-binding proposal and no decisions have been made with respect to the Company's response to the proposal. There can be no assurance that any definitive offer will be made, that any agreement will be executed or that this or any other transaction will be approved or consummated.
About 7 Days Group
7 Days Group is a leading and fast growing national economy hotel chain based in China. It converts and operates limited service economy hotels across major metropolitan areas in China under its award-winning "7 Days Inn" brand. The Company strives to offer consistent and high-quality accommodations and services primarily to the growing population of value-conscious business and leisure travelers who demand affordable, clean, comfortable, convenient and safe lodging, and to respond to its guests' needs.
Cautionary Note About Forward-looking Statements:
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the quarterly earnings forecast, anticipated performance, general business outlook and projected results of operations. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 7 Days Group has based these forward-looking statements largely on its current expectations and projections about future events and financial trends that it believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. 7 Days Group may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its reports filed or furnished with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements and are subject to change, and such change may be material and may have a material adverse effect on 7 Days Group's financial condition and results of operations for one or more periods. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to regulatory developments, deteriorating economic conditions and unavailability of real estate financing, which could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations. The factors that could affect 7 Days Group's future financial results are discussed more fully in 7 Days Group's filings with the SEC. Unless otherwise specified, all information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and 7 Days Group does not undertake any obligation to update any such information, except as required under applicable law.