Marrybrown to spread its wings

KUALA LUMPUR: Home-grown international fast-food franchisee Marrybrown Fried Chicken Sdn Bhd is strengthening its foothold in the fast food sector, both locally and abroad.

Business development manager Joshua Liew said the company plans to open 30 more restaurants in the country to enhance the growth of its sales.

“The new outlets that will be open this year are at the Langkawi International Airport and Kuala Lumpur, Kidzania Education Entertainment Centre, Central Pudu and Mydin shopping centre in Ipoh,” Liew said.

He said other locations include Temerloh (Pahang), Sungai Petani (Kedah), Labuan (Sabah), Gua Musang (Kelantan) and Terengganu.

The investment cost for each restaurant is between RM500,000 and RM700,000, which includes the cost of franchisee fee, modifications, training and marketing.

Liew said Marrybrown Fried Chicken operations have gone beyond Malaysia to 16 countries worldwide.

“This clearly demonstrates the strength of the franchise system of Marrybrown,” he told Business Times in an interview.

The first outlet in Myanmar is expected to make its debut this November. The company is planning to open 35 branches there in five years times.

About 20 per cent of its restaurants in Malaysia are company-owned and 80 per cent are franchised, while its overseas outlets are developed by its master franchisees.

Liew said the company is undergoing an aggressive business expansion activities for Marrybrown through franchising, in an effort to boost sales.

Founded in 1981, Marrybrown now has over 300 restaurants in Malaysia, Azerbaijan, China, Bahrain, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kuwait, Maldives, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Syria, Tanzania and the United Arab Emirates.

Going forward, Liew said the Middle East is the most promising market for the franchising business, aside from emerging economies in Asean, China and India.

Marrybrown restaurants’ strength in international markets lies in the provision of halal food as the company does not compromise on the matter.

“We work with the local Muslim community for raw materials and being a local brand serving halal food is a bonus, especially with the master franchisees in the Middle East,” he said.