A restaurant services company that has pivoted to data centers has teamed up with a developer of modular digital infrastructure.
HRC World Plc has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Oper8 Global for a “strategic collaboration in the design, development, operations, and management of advanced data center facilities.”
Oper8 develops modular data center solutions ranging from single-rack micro-data centers to multi-rack pods and larger prefabricated facilities. It also provides data center monitoring services. Customers reportedly include AMG Petronas F1, McLaren Mercedes, Rolls-Royce, Telstra, Schlumberger, Intel, Cognizant-Aramco, as well as government agencies.
HRC World, which previously offered café management services for restaurants, recently announced a pivot to focus on data centers.
The companies said they have a “joint focus on distributed and Edge data centers.” The collaboration will initially commence in Malaysia with a “clear ambition” to expand across the broader Asia-Pacific region.
The partnership will also encompass the provision of cybersecurity services, professional consulting, and certification offerings.
HRC World's business started as a food and beverage franchisee, representing the Hard Rock Cafe chain in mainland China since 2013 – before exiting the country around 2018.
Last month it revealed its interest in data centers, with plans to repurpose an office facility outside Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.
HRC now describes itself as an “aspiring EPCC and O&M service company focused on green energy, data center infrastructure, and renewable energy solutions.”
Since April last year, HRC has allowed a customer to utilize its third-party data center facility, which was originally designated for its own artificial intelligence R&D activities. It is now expanding that offering.
In its interim results posted in December, the company said its HRC World Sdn Bhd subsidiary is in the process of finalizing a sale and purchase agreement to acquire commercial office space in the suburb of Subang Jaya, located on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
“This property encompasses 50,000 sq ft (4,645 sqm) of commercial floor space and is well-suited for operating a small data center,” the company said. “Additionally, it offers 100,000 sq ft (9,290 sqm) of parking space that can be partially repurposed for supporting equipment related to the data center.”
The UK-registered company, which is listed on the Nasdaq First North in Copenhagen, intends to raise up to $10 million through the issuance of Convertible Loan Notes to fund its expansion.
