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Tag: celebrating

  • Sour Sally Soars: Celebrating 18 Years and 165 Stores Amidst Rival Llaollaos Indonesian Exit

    Sour Sally Soars: Celebrating 18 Years and 165 Stores Amidst Rival Llaollaos Indonesian Exit

    Sour Sally, the pioneering premium frozen yoghurt brand out of Indonesia, is set to participate in FLAsia 2026, a top-tier franchise and licensing exhibition in Asia. The event is scheduled to take place from August 13-15 at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore.

    The Sour Sally team will be participating in the expo and showcasing the unique selling points of their award-winning frozen yoghurt concept. This also includes their rapidly growing sister brand, Juicy Sally, as well as their integrated franchise ecosystem designed for sustainable growth. Sour Sally is on the lookout for franchise investors, retail operators, and strategic business partners throughout Singapore and across the broader Asia Pacific region.

    Even after the departure of Llaollao from the Indonesian market, Sour Sally remains resilient, demonstrating the strength of a homegrown brand. The brand’s success is founded on long-term innovation, operational excellence, and consumer trust.

    Since its inception in 2008, Sour Sally has revolutionized Indonesia’s premium frozen yoghurt category, turning it into a trendy, health-conscious lifestyle choice. Over the past 18 years, the company has constantly evolved, making strides in product innovation, creating healthier menu choices, delivering exceptional customer experiences, and executing its business strategies with discipline.

    Sour Sally Today

    Today, Sour Sally is recognized as one of Southeast Asia’s leading frozen yoghurt companies, having sold more than 100 million cups, and annually serving over 15 million customers. The company has over 1000 employees, 165+ stores around the globe, and a proven track record of continuous growth and international brand recognition. In addition to these accomplishments, Sour Sally has officially received Halal Certification, further bolstering consumer confidence.

    One of Sour Sally’s standout innovations is Black Sakura, the world’s first black frozen yoghurt. This unique offering is made with naturally activated charcoal, providing not just a distinctive look, but also functional wellness benefits.

    Sour Sally Group also oversees Juicy Sally, the company’s premium juice bar concept. This concept incorporates real fruits with its signature Yoggurt Macchiato and J-U-X intellectual property character, offering a refreshing functional beverage experience aimed at health-conscious consumers.

    Expansion Beyond Home Turf

    Sour Sally has successfully expanded into the UAE, opening 15 outlets under a master franchise agreement, and demonstrating the brand’s ability to compete beyond its domestic market while maintaining consistent quality and customer experience. Recently, Sour Sally secured another major Master Franchise agreement in the Philippines, contributing to its global expansion.

    The company’s next strategic expansion chapter is Singapore. Through participation in FLAsia 2026, Sour Sally aims to identify Master Franchise partners who share the ambition of building one of Southeast Asia’s most successful food and beverage brands across the region.

    Sour Sally envisions partners who believe that globally competitive consumer brands can emerge from Southeast Asia. This vision is encapsulated in the company’s philosophy: ‘Asia’s best frozen yoghurt brand’.

    Singapore proves to be the perfect environment for Sour Sally’s growth, being one of Asia’s leading business and franchise hubs with a sophisticated retail landscape, strong investment ecosystem, and an international business community.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the philosophy of Sour Sally?
    Sour Sally operates under the philosophy of being ‘Asia’s best frozen yoghurt brand’. This embodies 18 years of resilience, entrepreneurship, and continuous product innovation.

    What is the strategic importance of Singapore for Sour Sally?
    Singapore, being one of Asia’s leading business and franchise hubs, provides a sophisticated retail landscape, strong investment ecosystem, and international business community. This makes it an ideal environment for Sour Sally’s next phase of growth.

    What are some of Sour Sally’s achievements so far?
    Sour Sally is recognized as one of Southeast Asia’s leading frozen yoghurt companies, having sold over 100 million cups, served more than 15 million customers annually, and achieving Halal Certification. It has also expanded its business globally, operating over 165 stores worldwide.

  • Mondelez Injects $8M into Melbourne Candy Plant for Technological Boost: Celebrating 50 Years of Sweet Success

    Mondelez Injects $8M into Melbourne Candy Plant for Technological Boost: Celebrating 50 Years of Sweet Success

    Mondelez International recently commemorated the 50th anniversary of its Scoresby confectionery factory in Melbourne’s east, coinciding with a $8 million investment in new packaging technology. This crucial advancement will bolster the production of over 120 products, including snack-sized bags from brands like Cadbury Pascall Clinkers, Sour Patch Kids, and The Natural Confectionery Company.

    This new funding takes the total investments in the Scoresby location to $30 million since 2022. The company has clarified that this financial boost is specifically aimed at sparking regional innovation across various aspects like product flavours, range, and packaging. It will also enable the plant to accommodate ever-evolving consumer trends.

    A Commitment to Local Production

    Toby Smith, the president of Mondelez International for Australia, New Zealand, and Japan, highlighted the strategic importance of the packaging upgrade. He stated that it lay the groundwork for securing the future production at the local facility.

    This move falls in line with the company’s long-term growth projections. By 2035, Mondelez International anticipates an equal split in business growth between chocolate and non-chocolate products.

    Smith expressed immense pride in the Scoresby factory’s 50-year manufacturing history and the numerous employment opportunities it has created for Victorians in Melbourne’s east.

    Mondelez International currently employs over 1200 individuals across its operations in Victoria. Their reach extends to locations in South Melbourne, Ringwood, Scoresby, Dandenong South, and a national distribution centre in Truganina.

    Of note is the Scoresby plant’s commitment to sustainable operations, running on 100% renewable electricity. The plant is responsible for manufacturing jelly candies such as Snakes and Party Mix.

    Earlier this year, Mondelez International reintroduced its In A Biskit Crispy Potato flavour in the Australian market, a product that initially gained popularity in the 1990s.

    Questions & Answers

    What was the purpose of the $8 million investment by Mondelez International?
    It was directed towards new packaging technology, with the intention of enhancing the production of over 120 products and to adapt to changing consumer trends.

    What is the future business growth expectation for Mondelez International?
    By 2035, Mondelez International expects to see an equal split in business growth between chocolate and non-chocolate products.

    What is significant about the Scoresby plant’s operations?
    The Scoresby plant, which manufactures various jelly candies, operates on 100% renewable electricity, underlining the company’s commitment to sustainability.

  • Zhu Bingren Copper Debuts First International Flagship Store in Singapore, Celebrating Art, Culture, and Connection

    Zhu Bingren Copper Debuts First International Flagship Store in Singapore, Celebrating Art, Culture, and Connection

    Zhu Bingren Copper, a renowned Chinese copper craftsmanship brand, has unveiled its inaugural flagship store in Singapore, operating as its international brand, ZenBron. This marks the brand’s first-ever venture outside of its home country.

    Expanding Borders and Cultivating Relationships

    Situated in Chinatown Point, this fifth-generation copper-craft store introduces its “150 years of fire, form and cultural heritage” to a global audience. This significant move not only symbolises an artistic exchange between the two countries but also deepens the long-established relationship between Zhu Bingren and Singapore.

    The brand’s expansion coincides with the Gratitude Festival, an event organised by the Zhu family. This alignment imbues the copper artworks with a symbolic representation of warmth and sincerity. Zhu Junmin, the fifth-generation master craftsman and successor of Zhu Bingren Copper, expressed his honour in being able to extend the festival’s spirit beyond China and share its meaningful message of appreciation with Singapore’s diverse community.

    New Store Features and Offerings

    To honour the convergence of these events and the upcoming Chinese New Year, the Singapore store showcases the brand’s latest ‘Horse of Victory’ edition. Additionally, the store offers a variety of contemporary home ornaments, scholar’s studio collectibles and molten-bronze artworks, with each piece embodying the spirit of blessing.

    Master Chinese sculptor Zhu Bingren, after whom the brand is named, has renowned works featured in national museum collections. Zhu Bingren Copper, established in 1875 and with five generations of heritage, is celebrated for integrating ancient copper artistry into modern, high-end gifts and everyday items.

    Local Engagement and Future Aims

    Operating six art centres and over 200 lifestyle experience stores domestically, Zhu Bingren Copper now aims to make its art accessible to local collectors, culture enthusiasts, and design admirers through this overseas expansion.

    Questions & Answers

    What is Zhu Bingren Copper?
    Zhu Bingren Copper is a distinguished Chinese copper craftsmanship brand named after the master Chinese sculptor Zhu Bingren.

    Where is Zhu Bingren Copper’s first overseas flagship store located?
    Zhu Bingren Copper’s inaugural overseas flagship store is located in Singapore, at Chinatown Point.

    What is the significance of the Gratitude Festival?
    The Gratitude Festival, organised by the Zhu family, symbolises warmth and sincerity. In this context, it represents the brand’s attempt to extend its spirit of appreciation beyond China and to the diverse community of Singapore.

  • GrapeCo and Mondelēz Triumph at Woolworths New Zealand’s Annual Supplier Awards: Celebrating Innovation and Sustainability

    GrapeCo and Mondelēz Triumph at Woolworths New Zealand’s Annual Supplier Awards: Celebrating Innovation and Sustainability

    Woolworths New Zealand recently honoured its partners and innovators in the food and grocery industry, handing out 20 awards at its annual Supplier Awards event at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. GrapeCo and Mondelēz were the illustrious recipients of the ‘Supplier of the Year’ titles.

    Supplier Excellence and Innovation

    The awards, which included 54 finalists, celebrated the ingenuity and collaborative efforts within the industry.

    GrapeCo, a grape supplier for Woolworths NZ, was awarded the ‘Fresh Supreme Supplier’ title for its novel grape varieties and its commitment to sustainability.

    Pieter De Wet, commercial director for Woolworths New Zealand, commended GrapeCo’s environmentally-friendly practice of testing reusable crates which could potentially eliminate more than 60 tonnes of packaging from the Woolworths supply chain.

    “GrapeCo’s dedication extends beyond the norm. Their impactful strategic partnership and their innovation makes them the worthy recipients of our ‘Fresh Supreme Supplier of the Year’ award,” De Wet stated.

    Mondelēz: Packaged Food Supreme Supplier of the Year

    Snack manufacturer Mondelēz was named the ‘Packaged Food Supreme Supplier of the Year’. This accolade represents Mondelēz’s resilience, innovation, and their significant contribution to growth in the industry.

    “Mondelēz has truly distinguished itself this year with exceptional performance and strategic ingenuity,” De Wet said. “Their consistent high performance over the past three years, along with their long-term leadership, makes them the rightful winners of the Supreme Award.”

    Other award recipients included Breadcraft Wairarapa, MaxFoods, Fonterra, Darren Lobb – Hellers, Vitaco, Hancocks, Simplot, Mondelez New Zealand, Amanda Collier (Suntory Oceania), Taryn Aspeling (Heinz Watties), Essity Australasia, Body Science (BSc), and Harriet Butler (Scalzo).

    Questions & Answers

    Who were the ‘Supplier of the Year’ winners at the Woolworths New Zealand Supplier Awards?
    The winners of the ‘Supplier of the Year’ titles were grape supplier GrapeCo and snack manufacturer Mondelēz.

    Why was GrapeCo awarded the ‘Fresh Supreme Supplier’ title?
    GrapeCo was awarded for its introduction of new grape varieties and its commitment to sustainability, specifically for testing reusable crates which could potentially reduce packaging by over 60 tonnes.

    What contributed to Mondelēz being named the ‘Packaged Food Supreme Supplier of the Year’?
    Mondelēz was recognized for its resilience, innovation, and significant contribution to growth within the food and grocery industry.