An investor group is building a minority shareholder position in troubled chocolate seller Yowie.

The group of investors are Keybridge Capital (ASX:KBC), Bentley Capital Group (ASX:BEL) and HHY Fund (ASX:HHY).

They bought into Yowie (ASX:YOW) in the middle of January with a 9.03 per cent stake, buying on-market for between 16-18c.

A week later they lifted that to 10.7 per cent.

Today they now own 12.5 per cent.

Yowie’s troubles began in early January when it had to tell investors the North American strategy wasn’t working and it had to cut sales growth from 55 per cent to 17 per cent.

Then a surprise stock adjustment bill got them a grilling from the ASX over when it was disclosed.

Yowie shares were down 8.7 per cent at midday to 10.5c.