Monday, 27 June 2016
After 14 outlets and 10 years of organic growth, Kluang Station is embarking on a new phase of growth via franchising.
Retail businesses are often encouraged to take the franchise route as it is a good way to grow amidst challenging market conditions while also drawing more entrepreneurs into the sector. And Kluang Station F&B, for one, is sold on the idea.
According to owner Datuk Dr Jennifer Low, the kopitiam (coffee shop) chain has been enjoying good organic growth over the last 10 years with 14 outlets under its belt nation-wide. However, the next phase of growth will come from franchising the brand, she stresses.
In fact, Low hopes Kluang Station will make its mark as the market leader in the kopitiam business within five years through continuous development and improvements through the franchise business.
“Kluang Station achieved its franchisor status in October last year. Before that, all outlets were managed and owned by us. But we are now looking for franchisees to further develop the Kluang Station brand,” she says.
“The F&B business was doing well, and we saw potential for growth in the future for franchising,” she explains.
Kluang Station is known for its authentic Hainanese cuisine with local favourites such as its Nasi Lemak, Hainanese Chicken Chop and Kluang Mee Siam. It also has an array of popular kopitiam offerings such as the toast with homemade kaya and butter and its signature local coffee.
“What I like about running the business is that the food we serve is traditionally Malaysian, and it is something we hold very dearly,” she adds.
Low also values quality and innovative recipes, and notes that the Kluang Station team continuously tries to research and develop new products for its menu.
The F&B chain currently has a team of more than 200 employees who are well trained and committed to achieve its shared vision of becoming the leading local coffee chain within the next five years. Low calls Kluang Station’s employees and suppliers its key business partners and points out that the company takes great care of its employees’ welfare.
URL: http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/smebiz/focus/2016/06/27/on-track-to-franchise/
