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Tag: eat

  • FamilyMart Malaysia to open 300 halal-certified stores

    FamilyMart Malaysia to open 300 halal-certified stores

    In a statement shared today (May 10) by FamilyMart Malaysia, the convenience store chain announced that its FamiCafé in Menara U, Shah Alam, has obtained halal certification from Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM).

    This makes it the first convenience store café in Malaysia to receive this certification. Based on a check on the Halal Malaysia Official Portal, other convenience store cafés such as 7 Café and emart24, are not halal-certified by JAKIM.

    According to the statement, the halal certification aligns with FamilyMart Malaysia’s ongoing effort to ensure that its customers have total peace of mind while shopping and dining at its premises.

    It also added that other FamilyMart Malaysia stores will undergo halal audits in stages as guided by JAKIM, and that the process has already begun at two other stores.

    Subsequently, as a result of the certification, it stated that all new FamiCafés will automatically adopt the layout guided by JAKIM while existing ones will be converted to incorporate the changes required.

    The company aims to have the FamiCafés in 300 stores halal-certified by 2025 with the halal-certified concept serving café beverages and ready-to-eat food prepared in-store.

    There are currently 16 FamiCafés in Malaysia, with an overall target of 50 planned by the end of 2023.

    “We are very excited to be the first convenience store café in Malaysia to be halal-certified as part of our continuous improvement to enhance customer experience and provide value to them.”

    “Our journey to obtain halal certification in our stores is the next step in providing greater assurance and confidence for customers to shop and dine with us,” it shared.

    FamilyMart Malaysia’s central kitchen, operated by QL Kitchen, has been certified halal by JAKIM since 2019. As of April 30, 2023, 172 FamilyMart branded food products have been registered halal on JAKIM’s official halal portal.

    Meanwhile, in alignment with the announcement, FamilyMart Malaysia has also shared that it has stopped the sale of alcohol from all stores to provide an added assurance for all Muslim customers.

    In addition to the halal certification, FamilyMart stated that the team is expanding to the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia and that the company is currently securing identified locations to meet the demands of its fans in the region.

    It plans to open 20 stores by the end of 2023 and expansion is already underway in various parts of Kuantan, Pahang.

  • Uber CEO Makes Deliveries For Uber Eats In San Francisco

    Uber CEO Makes Deliveries For Uber Eats In San Francisco

    Uber CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi, delivered food to people’s doorstep in San Francisco for those ordering from Uber Eats. He completed 10 trips and managed to rake in $98.91. He tweeted about this from his personal handle saying “Spent a few hours delivering for @UberEats. 1. SF is an absolutely beautiful town. 2. Restaurant workers were incredibly nice, every time. 3. It was busy!! – 3:24 delivering out of 3:30 online. 4. I’m hungry – time to order some”

    While it was great to see the CEO of the company getting into the groove and making deliveries, Twitter absolutely erupted calling this a ‘PR stunt’

    User Dan Skelley who has been the most vociferous of the lot in calling it a PR stunt questioned the stats presented. He said “Let’s discuss ur BOGUS stat page. U did 10 orders ON A BIKE in 3 hrs 24 min. First, U can’t get 45pts for 10 trips. Max is 30. U imply 1ride/18 min incl travel time to the pickup with no waiting. Short travel time EVERY time to perfect dropoff EVERY time + only 6 min of downtime”$

    Twitterati Brice Sopher too spoke out about the experience saying “Wow what a surprising conclusion that you, the ceo of Uber, had a great experience working this job. Now try doing it as your only source of income.

    There were many such replies questioning this exercise by the Uber CEO, suffice to say, that though it was all well-intentioned, there’s no wondering how social media will react to it.

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  • Crystal Jade restaurants opening in the Philippines

    Crystal Jade restaurants opening in the Philippines

    Philippines specialty store retailer SSI Group will play host to Chinese restaurant chain Crystal Jade in the territory.

    The firm has contracted with Crystal Jade Management to own and operate the brand in the Philippines as part of its expanding F&B portfolio.

    “The strategic partnership with SSI group is yet another proud moment for Crystal Jade,” said Crystal Jade Culinary Concepts Holdings CEO Douglas DeBoer. “We are excited to join in partnership with such a renowned specialty retailer which has successfully brought so many iconic international brands to the Philippines. Crystal Jade is dedicated to bringing authentic, quality Chinese cuisine to contemporary audiences around the world, and we look forward to delighting consumers across the Philippines very soon.”

    SSI president Anthony Huang said the opening of Crystal Jade in the Philippines is aligned with his company’s desire to provide consumers with complete lifestyle offerings through global partnerships “that cater to the eclectic and sophisticated taste of the Filipino consumer”.

    SSI will initially open a Crystal Jade Hong Kong Kitchen outlet early next year at Central Square in Bonifacio Global City, before rolling out Crystal Jade’s other three international dining concepts – which include Crystal Jade Golden Palace, Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao and Crystal Jade Go.

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  • Hattendo bakery to franchise stores in Hong Kong

    Hattendo bakery to franchise stores in Hong Kong

    Japanese baker Hattendo is planning to ramp up its store rollout in Asia, with particular focus on Greater China and Southeast Asia.

    The company – known for its cream-filled buns – already has stores in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Australia. Its next stop is Malaysia where it will launch next month after finding a local partner to produce its buns, selling through convenience stores.

    Hattendo is currently finalizing a joint venture with a Thai company to manufacture its products to supply stores locally. The plan there is to supply supermarkets and a network of its own-branded kiosk stores in shopping malls and other locations.

    In Hong Kong and Mainland China, Hattendo will expand its network by appointing franchisees, part of a plan to boost its network six-fold to 30 by the end of 2021.

    “In China’s Shenzhen and Hong Kong, there is strong interest from potential franchisees and we receive a lot of inquiries,” Daisuke Ishioka, the company’s representative director, told Nikkei.

    Last year, Hattendo’s group sales reached US$19.6 million. The company is planning to issue new shares by the end of this year to raise about $900,000 to fund the expansion.

    The company – known for its cream-filled buns – already has stores in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Australia. Its next stop is Malaysia where it will launch next month after finding a local partner to produce its buns, selling through convenience stores.

    Hattendo is currently finalizing a joint venture with a Thai company to manufacture its products to supply stores locally. The plan there is to supply supermarkets and a network of its own-branded kiosk stores in shopping malls and other locations.

    In Hong Kong and Mainland China, Hattendo will expand its network by appointing franchisees, part of a plan to boost its network six-fold to 30 by the end of 2021.

    “In China’s Shenzhen and Hong Kong, there is strong interest from potential franchisees and we receive a lot of inquiries,” Daisuke Ishioka, the company’s representative director, told Nikkei.

    Last year, Hattendo’s group sales reached US$19.6 million. The company is planning to issue new shares by the end of this year to raise about $900,000 to fund the expansion.

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  • Marley Spoon brings first meal kit service to Tasmania

    Marley Spoon brings first meal kit service to Tasmania

    Marley Spoon launched its meal kit service in Tasmania on Wednesday, making it the first service of its kind available on the Australian island state.

    The delivery service will initially cover the greater Hobart and Launceston areas, but Marley Spoon said it will expand to more locations throughout the state in the near future.

    “Tasmania is known as one of Australia’s premier food destinations, but now locals can benefit from having some of the best products delivered straight to their doors,” Marley Spoon Australia managing director and co-founder Rolf Weber said on Wednesday.

    “We’re excited to bring stress-free, delicious and sustainable cooking to even more Aussie households.”

    Woolworths announced a strategic partnership with the meal kit company last month, along with a $30.05 million investment.

    The meal kit service launched in Australia in 2015 and is available nationally. Customers in Tasmania can pre-order their boxes from today, with the first deliveries to take place on August 5.

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  • Popeyes China planning over 1500 restaurants openings

    Popeyes China planning over 1500 restaurants openings

    Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen is set to develop and open more than 1500 Popeyes restaurants in Mainland China over the next 10 years.

    Popeyes China will be the last of Restaurant Brands International’s three major brands to enter the Chinese market. Burger King has operated in the territory since 2005, and it now has more than 1000 locations in China.

    “We’re very excited to grow the Popeyes brand in the Chinese market,” said Restaurant Brands International COO Josh Kobza. “We look forward to bringing our great tasting chicken, biscuits, sides and beautiful new restaurants to our guests in China with our partner, TFI TAB Food Investments.”

    Popeyes operates more than 3100 locations in more than 25 countries worldwide, including the United States and Canada. The commencement of Popeyes China operations is subject to regulatory clearances.

  • Australia’s Oporto to open 24 stores in Vietnam

    Australia’s Oporto to open 24 stores in Vietnam

    Restaurant chain Oporto has launched in Vietnam under local franchisee Ben Thanh Group, with plans to open 24 restaurants across the territory in the next 10 years.

    The brand’s CEO Craig Tozer indicated the Vietnamese expansion provides a further gateway to a new market of potential consumers.

    “Vietnam is an ideal market for Oporto with nearly 100 million people and more than 60 per cent in our core demographic of under 35,” said Tozer. “Vietnam is experiencing double-digit growth in the retail and consumer sector and GDP has steadily grown at over 6 per cent. Consumers are urbanising and have an appreciation of quality food.”

    The announcement solidifies Oporto’s international growth strategy and follows a string of global signings. Three international master agreements have been secured in the last 14 months, with Oporto Vietnam following Singapore and Sri Lanka.

    Back home, Oporto is also forecasting an additional 20 plus restaurant openings in Australia for FY20, along with one in Vietnam, a second store in Singapore and further Asian expansion.

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  • Ramen chain Afuri Opening in Singapore

    Ramen chain Afuri Opening in Singapore

    Japanese ramen chain Afuri is to open its first outlet in Singapore, at Funan mall.

    Brought to Singapore by F&B group Japan Foods Holding, the Funan outlet will be known as Afuri Ramen + Dumpling.

    Besides Afuri’s signature yuzu ramens, the expanded menu will have small plates options as well as gyoza (dumplings).

    Funan mall will open its doors to shoppers on June 28, after a three-year redevelopment.

    Afuri ramen adds to the food options at Funan, including Japanese restaurant Noka, urban farming outfit Edible Garden City, Taiwanese bubble tea brand Milksha, and modern Peranakan restaurant Godmama.

    Named after Mount Afuri in Japan, the chain first started in 2001, known as Zund-Bar, at the foot of Mount Afuri.

    It changed brand to Afuri in 2003, and now has 15 outlets worldwide.

    The latest location was Lisbon, Portugal.

    Afuri ramen instant noodles have been sold in Singapore at selected supermarkets and Japanese speciality food marts.

  • New food truck dishes out noodles at Hong Kong Disneyland’s doorstep

    New food truck dishes out noodles at Hong Kong Disneyland’s doorstep

    Hong Kong’s latest food truck may have found its sweet spot on Disneyland’s doorstep after its first location was deemed too remote.

    Mein by Maureen, which offers lo mein (noodles in seafood sauce), has made its new home on Park Promenade, the only thoroughfare between the public transport drop-off points and the theme park’s entrance.

    Although existing rules prohibit visitors from bringing in outside food, the new food truck effectively competes with more expensive restaurants inside the park. It is a stone’s throw away from the MTR station and next to the luggage valet counter.

    Some food truck operators had complained that the original site, near the parking lot for coaches, was too remote, prompting the park to designate a new location last month.

    Mein by Maureen started taking orders from hungry customers at 10.40am on Tuesday, after a 40-minute delay.

    Operator Maureen Loh Mo-lin explained that her staff were still experimenting with the operation.

    Traffic heading into Sunny Bay on Lantau Island was also an unexpected hiccup.

    “Last week it was smooth and perfect … but this morning there was a big traffic jam crossing the harbour,” she said, referring to her commute from Wan Chai at about 7.30am.

    “Maybe people were heading back for work.”

    One of Loh’s first customers was Mika Shimizu, a Japanese expatriate and Disney fan who visits the park once a week.

    She and her friend forked out HK$48 each for a serving of lo mein. They both felt the price was reasonable.

    “It was tasty, and the portion was right. I think I would visit again,” she said.

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  • Indonesia to export chicken due to overproduction

    Indonesia to export chicken due to overproduction

    Indonesia will soon export chicken as production has doubled, Agriculture Minister Amran Sulaiman said.

    “Right now, we are campaigning for self-reliance in protein which is found in abundance in our husbandry and fishery commodities,” he stated here on Saturday.

    Amran Sulaiman, along with Chief of the Business Competition Supervisory Commission (KPPU) Syarkawi Rauf and Deputy Chairman of the House Commission IV Viva Yoga, was in Makassar to address a workshop, titled, “Developing Husbandry Industry in Pursuit of Self Reliance in Animal Protein.”

    The minister underscored the importance of maintaining food stocks in support of the country self-reliance.

    The Agriculture Ministry has made various breakthroughs and innovations along with other parties to support the governments program to achieve self-reliance in food production, thus adding to national resilience, he added.

    He believed that Indonesia would achieve the goal of self-reliance in animal protein by the time the country celebrates the 100th anniversary of its independence.

    Livestock and marine products have already helped achieve self-reliance in animal protein, he reminded.

    “We have changed our policy so that we are no longer self-reliance in meat but are self-reliance in protein. In fact, we have exported chicken to Vietnam and Japan,” he noted.

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