GLORIA Jean’s Coffees (GJC) plans to open 16 new branches next year, bringing the total to 58, while the 1901 brand sets its sights on hotpots with both businesses offering franchise opportunities to would-be entrepreneurs to grow in the lucrative business.
Offering varieties of the world’s finest gourmet coffees, GJC currently has 42 branches nationwide with plans afoot to open businesses at selected LRT (light rail transit) stations and petrol kiosks in the Klang Valley next year.
The master franchise rights for GJC Malaysia was acquired by Wonderful Lifestyle Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Malaysia International Franchise Sdn Bhd (MyFranchise) in November 2006. It also owns the master franchise rights for Malaysia, Myanmar and Brunei. MyFranchise is a subsidiary of Perbadanan Nasional Bhd (Pernas)
On the other hand, MyFranchise’s subsidiary Big Nineteen Sdn Bhd (Big19) which manages the 1901 hot dogs business, plans to expand its business in hotspots such as shopping malls, tourist centres, petrol stations, and public spaces, next year.
A pre-franchise (licensing) brand, the 1901 business which has 21 branches throughout the country aims to have branches nationwide by mid-2022.
Both GJC and 1901 are among businesses that could be explored by budding entrepreneurs who are interested in venturing into a franchise business due to their unique concepts, according to Pernas CEO Mohd Hilaluddin Abd Shukor.
“Franchise-concept businesses such as GJC are in high demand among entrepreneurs, and we have business people on the waiting list who are interested in exploring business opportunities with us,” he told Bernama.
“1901 is also popular. We’ve found that the strategic location that have high customer traffic for this brand is by the sea as we have had in Batu Buruk, Terengganu. It’s a hit as it is thronged by many visitors and tourists.”
As the holder of the master franchise rights of GJC for Malaysia, Brunei and Myanmar as well as the owner of the 1901 hot dogs business, Pernas has proven that it not only could assist entrepreneurs but also manage its own franchise brand.
Meanwhile, Wonderful Lifestyle’s CEO Zafrul Azman Mohamed Azraai said GJC is in talks with 18 petrol kiosks to start a drive-thru cafe business.
“BHPetrol is among the petrol stations that are interested in this concept. This drive-through concept layout is already in place and we aim to open at least one GJC drive-through in 2H 2022,” he projected.
GJC franchise offers start from an affordable package of RM250,000, a kiosk package of RM550,000, and a shoplot package of RM770,000.
“We also encourage existing franchisees to add more branches by opening their second and next branch. This effort can increase the franchisee’s income as well as add to the existing GJC branches,” opined Zafrul Azman.
Big19 CEO Mohairi Mohamad said the 1901 business is currently being expanded through pre-franchise (licensing) with a target of at least seven branches in each of the 11 states in the country or an equivalent of 77 branches.
“We are confident that this target can be achieved as 1901 can be fully franchised later. The 1901 brand has yet to receive a franchise licence from the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs,” he revealed.
“We have submitted the application to the Registrar of Franchise (RoF) in September and it is still in the approval process.”
The 1901 hot dogs which are prepared through steam cooking still maintain a high level of quality. The 1901 franchise offers packages starting as low as RM45,000 for pushcart and equipment while the kiosk and equipment package starts from RM91,000.
For both GJC and 1901 businesses, Pernas offers financing of up to 70%. Through its “Be Your Own Boss (BYOB)” project, would-be entrepreneurs can enjoy financing of up to 90%. – Dec 17, 2021
