Ylva completes debt restructuring of its real estate business, restaurant operations continue growth
29.5.2026
Ylva’s year 2025 was marked by historic property sales. Most of the Student Union of the University of Helsinki ’s real estate assets had to be liquidated to resolve an unsustainable debt situation. Thanks to difficult decisions made, the future of the student union and the continuity of Ylva’s business operations have now been secured. Ylva’s restaurant business delivered an excellent result and significantly improved its profitability.
In 2025, the Ylva Group, owned by the Student Union of the University of Helsinki, carried out extensive measures to stabilize the company’s difficult financial situation. In March, Ylva sold the hotel and residential property of the Lyyra block in Hakaniemi to the real estate investment company Niam.
The most significant transaction in the overall debt restructuring took place in December 2025, when Ylva sold the New Student House and Old Student House, Citytalo, Kaivotalo, as well as Kiinteistö Oy Kaivokatu 12 and Hansatalo, which are part of the Grand Hansa property complex, to a consortium led by the pension insurance company Keva.
The restructuring process was completed after the financial year had ended, in May 2026, when Ylva sold the C and D buildings of Domus Academica to Unity Living.
The proceeds from the property sales were used for the repayment of loans, after which Ylva’s financing providers agreed to waive the remaining debt as part of a settlement.
“Year 2025 brought significant and difficult decisions for both Ylva and the student union. Now that the comprehensive debt restructuring has been completed, the student union is net debt-free, and the business can focus on building for the future,” says Ylva CEO Mika Perkiö.
Ylva’s revenue remained at the same level as the previous year in 2025, amounting to EUR 33.2 million (2024: EUR 33.2 million). The Group’s EBITDA excluding non-recurring items decreased to EUR 10.9 million during the financial year (2024: EUR 12.3 million). The result for the financial year was EUR 11.2 million (2024: EUR -74.2 million).
No capital distribution to HYY’s operational economy will be made in connection with the financial statements.
Restaurant business continued to grow and improve profitability
Although the year was tough for Ylva’s real estate business, the restaurant business continued its growth trend from previous years also in 2025. Revenue from restaurant operations grew by 6 per cent and amounted to EUR 14.1 million (2024: EUR 13.3 million). In 2025, Ylva’s restaurants sold 2 million lunches, representing growth of 4 per cent compared to the previous year (2024: 1.92 million lunches). During the financial year, Ylva also opened two new UniCafe restaurants on the Meilahti campus and in Töölö.
“Overall, the year was excellent for our restaurant operations. Customer numbers increased throughout the year, customer satisfaction improved, and we succeeded in improving our profitability by more than 20 per cent. These figures are the result of systematic business development. We continuously collect feedback from our customers and make changes to our operations and selection accordingly. Our staff incentive system is tied to business targets, encouraging everyone to do their best to achieve them,” says Anne Immonen, Director of Restaurant Operations.
In 2025, the share of plant-based meals sold in UniCafe restaurants reached a new record at 48.2 per cent (2024: 47%).
“I believe the growing popularity of plant-based food is driven by our investments in developing even tastier and more diverse recipes. We also regularly test new plant-based products and proteins in our restaurants,” Immonen says.
In 2025, Ylva employed an average of 124 people (2024: 125 people).
Read Ylva’s 2025 Financial Statements and Annual Report.
For further information:
Anne Immonen
Director of Restaurant Operations
+358 40 512 5008
anne.immonen@ylva.fi
Pekka Huotari
Finance Manager
+358 40 846 2794
pekka.huotari@ylva.fi
