Teavana to expand presence in Canada with acquisition of Teopia chain Atlanta

Atlanta -- Teavana Inc. on Monday said it will buy Canadian tea retail chain Teaopia Ltd. for $26.9 million in cash. It is Teavana's first major acquisition since it went public last year.



Teaopia operates 46 stores, primarily in high-end malls across Canada and online. Last year it generated net sales of approximately $17 million and opened 12 stores.



Teavana operates 200 company-owned stores in 39 states, including one store in Canada, and 18 franchised stores primarily in Mexico, as well as through its website.



“With this acquisition, we immediately establish a strong foothold in many of the best mall locations in Canada,” said Andrew Mack, chairman and CEO of Teavana. “Teaopia’s prime mall locations, similar store branding and focus on premium loose-leaf teas, and great store employees and managers all make this opportunity a natural fit for us.”