Chicken Rice Shop plans debut in eastern Europe

TCRS Restaurants has received enquiries from many countries, including eastern Europe, and there's enormous potential there, says its managing director

THE Chicken Rice Shop (TCRS) is expected to debut in eastern Europe within the next three to five years.

TCRS Restaurants Sdn Bhd managing director Gaik Wong said the company, which manages the restaurant chain, has received enquiries from many countries to establish TCRS there, such as from the UK, Middle East, Germany and eastern Europe.

"We have to study the markets but there's enormous potential in eastern Europe," Wong said in an interview with Business Times in Kuala Lumpur recently.

TCRS now has 50 stores in Malaysia after about eight years of doing business. Their 50th outlet is located at the largest shopping mall in Sabah, One Borneo.

Kah Lin, who is TCRS director, said the company plans to open three more outlets in Malaysia this year.

"We now have outlets in all states in Malaysia except Pahang," she said.

The company is still scouting for the right locations to open up more TCRS in the country.

"We are also exploring opportunity to franchise, but the focus would still be to grow on our own, through innovative concept."

Outside Malaysia, TCRS is present in Singapore under one joint-venture outlet and three franchised outlets in Jakarta. Kah Lin said another two franchised outlets will open in Jakarta this year.

Wong said TCRS has been registering double-digit growth annually since 2000 and it expects the same for this year.