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Tag: potato

  • Happy Potato Sizzles Across Asia: Malaysian Fries Chain Captures Four New Markets

    Happy Potato Sizzles Across Asia: Malaysian Fries Chain Captures Four New Markets

    Happy Potato, a fries chain originally from Malaysia, has successfully extended its operations to four international markets within half a year. The company’s rapid growth has seen it establishing new outlets in Bangladesh, Indonesia, China, and Cambodia as a core component of its aggressive regional expansion strategy.

    This ambitious expansion has boosted Happy Potato’s network to a total of 126 outlets spread across five countries. The majority of the outlets, 117, are located in Malaysia, while Bangladesh hosts three, and Indonesia, China, and Cambodia each accommodate two.

    The origins of Happy Potato trace back to Kota Kinabalu in 2019 where it began with just one outlet. The company opened its initial directly operated store in Peninsular Malaysia in 2023, and has since then been on a fast-paced journey of expansion through its franchising network.

    Between 2024 and 2025, Happy Potato saw a surge in its growth, adding 98 outlets across the nation. This domestic surge set the stage for its current international growth, which began this year.

    Edmund Lim, the CEO and co-founder of Happy Potato, shared that the firm dedicated years to solidifying its franchise model and operational systems before breaking into international markets.

    “Establishing a new outlet is merely one aspect of expansion. The real challenge is ensuring that customers receive the same experience, product quality, and service standards irrespective of the outlet’s location. Achieving this consistency necessitates having robust operational systems, franchise support, and local partners,” he said.

    The international journey for Happy Potato started in February with the first outlets opening their doors in Bangladesh and Indonesia. This was followed by China in May, and Cambodia in July.

    Lim expressed that this recent expansion has bolstered the company’s confidence in scaling its business, while maintaining its commitment to consistent quality across all markets.

    “Happy Potato started as a humble Malaysian fries brand, and now we are catering to customers in five different markets. But this is only the beginning,” he said.

    As part of its 2028 growth plan, Happy Potato has set its sights on expanding its Malaysian network to 200 outlets, while also making its mark in another three to five countries across Asia.

    Questions & Answers

    What are Happy Potato’s plans for future expansion?
    Happy Potato plans to expand its Malaysian network to 200 outlets and enter another three to five countries across Asia by 2028.

    What is noteworthy about Happy Potato’s expansion strategy?
    The company spent years strengthening its franchise model and operating systems before expanding internationally, ensuring that customers receive the same high-quality experience and service at all locations.

    What was the sequence of Happy Potato’s entry into international markets?
    Happy Potato first entered Bangladesh and Indonesia in February, followed by China in May, and Cambodia in July.

  • Mondelez Revives ’90s Classic: In A Biskit Crispy Potato Hits Australian Shelves Again!

    Mondelez Revives ’90s Classic: In A Biskit Crispy Potato Hits Australian Shelves Again!

    Mondelez International, the multinational snack and food conglomerate, has reintroduced its In A Biskit Crispy Potato flavor into the Australian market, a product that first gained popularity in the 1990s.

    Reviving a Vintage Snack

    The revived snack is made from genuine potato flakes and has a thin, baked texture, offering consumers a delightful crunch with every bite. This classic flavor holds a fond memory for many Australians, serving as a favorite snack during leisurely afternoons spent solving Rubik’s Cubes or rewinding VHS tapes.

    Modern Packaging for a Classic Product

    In an effort to appeal to both original consumers and a new generation of customers, the product’s packaging has been updated to a more modern design. The classic snack is available in 145g packs with a recommended retail price of $4. The packs are available nationwide at IGA, Woolworths, and Coles retail stores.

    Mondelez Performance

    In the recent past, Mondelez has reported growth in its annual sales. However, this positive trend was somewhat offset by a decline in profit margins due to the high cost of cocoa, a key ingredient in many of the company’s products.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the key feature of the reintroduced In A Biskit Crispy Potato flavor?
    The reintroduced snack is made from real potato flakes and offers a thin, baked texture.

    How has Mondelez updated the product for modern consumers?
    Mondelez has modernized the packaging of the product to appeal to both original consumers and a new generation of snack lovers.

    What factors affected Mondelez’s recent financial performance?
    While the company reported growth in annual sales, its profit was impacted by the high cost of cocoa, a key ingredient in many of its products.

  • Potato Corner Debuts In Taiwan: Strategic Expansion Into 16th International Market

    Potato Corner Debuts In Taiwan: Strategic Expansion Into 16th International Market

    Potato Corner, a popular flavored fries chain, has made its debut in the Taiwan market. The brand’s inaugural store was launched at the Uni-President Department Store, located in Taipei’s Xinyi District.

    Collaboration with Local F&B Operator

    The launch in Taiwan was made possible through a strategic partnership with Fujin Tree Group, a local operator in the lifestyle and food & beverage sectors. Vicente Gregorio, the president and CEO of Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures (Spavi) which owns Potato Corner, expressed confidence in their collaboration with Fujin Tree Group. He emphasized its strategic importance in the brand’s international expansion plan, saying, “We anticipate enhancing and expanding our brand visibility in Taiwan with the robust backing of our partner, Fujin Tree.”

    Expansion Plans

    Jay Wu, the founder of Fujin Tree Group, corroborated this sentiment, stating that more Potato Corner stores are in the pipeline and expected to open before the end of the year. Following its acquisition by Spavi in 2022, Potato Corner has seen significant growth, boasting 2345 outlets across the globe. The entry into Taiwan marks the brand’s penetration into its 16th international market.

    Brand Value

    Gregorio iterated his pride in bringing Potato Corner to new international markets, highlighting the importance of this milestone for the brand. He said, “Potato Corner’s debut in Taipei is a notable moment not just for our flavored fries, but for our group’s vision of wowing more guests around the globe.”

    Questions & Answers

    What is the significance of Potato Corner’s launch in Taiwan?
    The launch marks Potato Corner’s entry into its 16th international market, further expanding its global footprint.

    Who is Potato Corner’s local partner in Taiwan?
    Potato Corner has partnered with the Fujin Tree Group, a Taiwan-based operator in the lifestyle and food & beverage sectors.

    What are the future expansion plans for Potato Corner in Taiwan?
    In collaboration with Fujin Tree Group, Potato Corner plans to open additional stores in Taiwan by the end of the year.

  • El Rustico launches premium potato chips at Woolworths

    El Rustico launches premium potato chips at Woolworths

    El Rustico, a renowned brand synonymous with premium snacks, has recently introduced artisanal potato chips to its product range. The deli-style snacks are available exclusively at Woolworths.

    The Spanish-based company is known for its commitment to delivering superior quality snacks at affordable prices. A packet of their newly launched product retails at $3.80.

    El Rustico’s potato chips come in a delectable variety of flavours. Consumers can choose from Original, Salt and Vinegar, and Chilli and Lime. Each flavour promises to offer a unique and delectable culinary experience.

    Richard Fowell, the Marketing Manager of El Rustico, spoke about the brand’s values. He stated, “El Rustico is a brand that prides itself on quality, heritage, and flavour. We aim to bring an exquisite snacking experience to our customers.”

    Fowell further added that the new product was designed to deliver a remarkable taste while still being affordable. “We have crafted a product that feels luxurious, tastes outstanding, and is still attainable for everyday Australians,” he said.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the price point of El Rustico’s new potato chips?
    El Rustico’s artisanal potato chips are priced at $3.80 per packet.

    Which flavours are available in El Rustico’s new range of potato chips?
    El Rustico has introduced three flavours in its new potato chip range: Original, Salt and Vinegar, and Chilli and Lime.

    Where can consumers purchase El Rustico’s new potato chips?
    The new range of potato chips by El Rustico is exclusively available at Woolworths.

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  • Bonanza for sweet potato farmers as prices double

    Bonanza for sweet potato farmers as prices double

    Sweet-potato growers in the Central Highlands are enjoying a windfall as prices have doubled from last year to VND15,000–20,000 ($0.61-0.82) per kilogram on higher demand and declining output.

    Hoa, a farmer in Kon Tum who has three hectares of land, said last week he harvested 12 tons of Le Can sweet potato on one hectare, and, at VND18,000 per kilogram for type 1 quality and VND13,000 for type 2, made a profit of VND100 million.

    “I have two hectares left to harvest in a month. If prices stay this high, the harvest this year will benefit my family greatly.”

    Luong, who has been growing Japanese sweet potato for 10 years in Gia Lai, said though her yield was below expectations, she would still harvest 40 tons on her two hectares of land. Thanks to the higher prices, her profits this year might reach VND400 million.

    Thanh Mai, a trader who buys Central Highlands sweet potatoes, said when prices were VND8,000–10,000, farmers either made losses or low profits, but this year prices have doubled.

    They fetch farmers VND80–100 million profits per hectare, rising to VND100–200 million in the case of Japanese sweet potato, she said.

    She said most growers in the Central Highlands are getting high prices of VND14,000-20,000 per kilogram. This year the sweet potato is also of higher quality, he added.

    Traders said demand is higher in both the domestic and export markets, but supply is low since farmers are planting less than before.

    >General Secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association Dang Phuc Nguyen, said China’s new quarantine requirement for Vietnamese sweet potatoes since late last year has driven up their prices.

    The first batch of sweet potatoes was exported to China at the end of April.

    According to its Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Gia Lai Province has around 5,000 ha under sweet potato.

    Dak Lak has 10,000 ha. Its output is estimated at nearly 300,000 tons this year, with growing zones with area codes allotted accounting for 50,000 tons. Farmers have completed around 50% of the harvest.

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  • Hong Kong burger chain Honbo launches in Singapore

    Hong Kong burger chain Honbo launches in Singapore

    Anew hipster burger joint is coming to Singapore at the end of July 2023. Called Honbo, it was founded in 2017 by former doctor Michael Chan, who named his eatery after the Cantonese name for hamburgers (‘hon bo bao’). The brand has since expanded to six outlets in its native Hong Kong.

    It specialises in gourmet American-style smashed burgers, with handmade patties and potato milk buns made with a recipe developed in collaboration with famed French baker Eric Kayser.

    The opening date for Honbo’s Singapore outlet is still unconfirmed, though its rep tells 8days.sg that it is estimated to be end-July. The dine-in eatery is located at Chijmes.

    Honbo boasts brisket-and-chuck burger patties made with USDA prime-grade beef from Holstein and Angus cattle reared in Wisconsin. Both breeds are known for their marbling; prime beef has the highest marbling score and is more flavourful compared to beef with a lower USDA grade.

    The patties are ground in-house daily and, upon order, smashed on hot griddles and cooked to medium-rare doneness.

    The patties are then wedged between pillowy potato milk buns made with hand-mashed potatoes. The proprietary Eric Kayser-developed bun is unique to Honbo, who patented the recipe in Hong Kong.

    The burgers are garnished with “sustainably sourced greens, pickles cured in-house from Japanese cucumber and specialty sauces hand-crafted in its very own kitchen, using a closely guarded secret recipe created by the team”.

    The local menu has not been finalised, though Honbu is expected to serve its signatures including the Honbo Burger, modelled after an “old-school fast food-style” cheeseburger. Two beef patties, each weighing about 56g, are layered with two slices of cheddar.

    “The Honbu Burger is paired with our house sauce, a lot of raw onions, pickles, and no lettuce. The raw onions and pickles help cut through the greasiness, and you can really taste the crust and the meatiness. It gives the burger double the crust and double the beef grease, but it is still less juicy than the Cheese Burger, ” says founder Michael Chan (interestingly, the man was a doctor before he became an F&B entrepreneur).

    For big eaters, this burger comes in variations like Honbo 1.5 (three patties) and Honbo 2.0 (four patties), plus a Gold Standard burger with two 113g beef patties, two slices of cheese, a hash of bacon and pickles, onions and lettuce drizzled with house-made sauce.

    Prices start from S$18 for an a la carte burger, with sides offered like fries, sweet potato fries and buffalo wings.

    Beefless options are available too, like a Grilled Chicken Burger with teriyaki sauce-glazed sous vide organic chicken, a Scallop Burger with “extra-large sashimi-grade Hokkaido scallops” and wasabi pico de gallo. There is also a Soft Shell Crab Burger, with a whole fried soft shell crab coated in vodka-infused batter and served with ginger coleslaw. Wash down your burger with beverages like classic lemonade and Apple Pie Iced Tea, described as “apple pie in a glass”.

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