Business

Wednesday February 20, 2008

Starbucks opens 100th outlet

By SHANNEN WONG




shannen@thestar.com.my

PETALING JAYA: Berjaya Starbucks Coffee Co Sdn Bhd, the Starbucks franchisee in Malaysia, aims to open five to six more outlets by June, said executive director Datuk Francis Lee.

The company would also be looking at major cities in and outside the Klang Valley, he said after the opening of its 100th outlet at Jaya One.

He said each outlet would cost RM700,000 to RM800,000, depending on the size and location.

Lee is optimistic on the growth of the Starbucks Coffee chain in Malaysia, saying that the company opened its 50th outlet in its sixth year and its 100th three and half years later.

On the company's long-term plans, Lee said it hoped to have 200 outlets within the next five years.

Lee said that in the past nine years, Berjaya Starbucks had invested a total of RM20mil to grow the brand in Malaysia.

“We are very happy with our investment in Malaysia,” he said, adding that Starbucks currently held 45% to 50% share of the local gourmet coffee market.

Berjaya Starbucks, which recorded annual revenue growth of 25% to 30%, plans to open drive-through outlets by year-end.

Berjaya Corp Bhd, the holding company of Berjaya Starbucks and franchisee of international burger chain Wendy's International, would re-open its first Wendy's outlet in Malaysia next month, after a lapse of 20 years, Lee said.


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