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Tag: VF Franchise Consulting

  • Belgian Waffle Co expands to Southeast Asia

    Belgian Waffle Co expands to Southeast Asia

    Indian-headquartered Belgian Waffle Co has partnered with VF Franchise Consulting to expand into Southeast Asia. The chain is operated under small kiosk and cafe models, and is best known for its waffle sandwiches. “The Belgian Waffle Co has seen exponential growth in India in less than three years with unprecedented success,” said Shrey Aggarwal, cofounder of The Belgian Waffle Co.

    “Our vision is to be a Global Player in the QSR segment, being recognised for dessert offerings and our values of affordability, quality and simplicity.”

    Founded in 2015, Belgian Waffle Co now has more than 200 outlets in 55 cities in India, Nepal and Dubai.

    “We are delighted about partnering with The Belgian Waffle Co as the company seeks to expand further into Southeast Asia,” said Sean T Ngo, CEO of VF Franchise Consulting.

    “Belgian waffles have universal appeal amongst Asians and non-Asians alike. They have taken a fork-and-knife approach to eating waffles and turned the industry upside down into a fast, on-the-go food for people who enjoy delicious-tasting breakfasts, snacks and desserts and a business that offers potential fast returns.”

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  • Big franchisors will gather in Vietnam for expansion plan

    Big franchisors will gather in Vietnam for expansion plan

    Eleven international franchisors will gather at the Sheraton Saigon Hotel next week, all looking for prospective country or master franchisees in Vietnam.

    Participating franchises are in food and beverage, education, services, and come from the US, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan. The event is organised by VF Franchise Consulting, a leading Asian franchise consultancy with offices in Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

    Nine of the 11 franchise brands are food retailers: Little Caesars, the US’s largest takeaway pizza chain, Coldstone Creamery, a premium ice cream chain from the US, Cha Ji Tang, a Taiwanese fragrant hot and cold herbal/flower tea chain, Yang Xiang Ting, a Taiwanese dim sum-conveyor belt concept, Fidele, an American-inspired seafood and pizza chain, Bing Girl, a Taiwanese sweet dessert, Machida Shoten, Japan’s number two ramen chain, Mennya Kokoro, a popular Japanese dry-ramen chain and Pronto, Japan’s leading Italian cafe and bar chain with more than 300 stores.

    The other two franchise companies are an education franchise from Hong Kong, The Edge Learning Center, and Sureclean from Singapore, which wants to expand one of the city state’s most successful hygiene and disinfection business into Vietnam.

    Sean T Ngo, founder and CEO of VF Franchise Consulting, says there are more than 200 foreign brands registered in Vietnam, and the number of international brands that seek to enter Vietnam continues to grow by between 20 and 25 per cent annually.

    “With more than 95 million citizens, it is a market that is not easily ignored by major franchise brands,” said Ngo.

    “Not only is food and beverage a fast-growing segment, it is also a market that seeks franchises in Vietnam in education and services. Goldman Sachs recently predicted that Vietnam will be the 20th largest economy in the world by the year 2050.”

    International franchises already present in Vietnam include KFC, Pizza Hut, McDonald’s, Lotteria, Burger King, Starbucks, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, PJ’s Coffee, Baskin Robbins, Dunkin Donuts, Texas Chicken and Popeye’s Chicken.

    Senior executives from all the brands will attend the Ho Chi Minh City event to meet with potential franchisees.

    Franchisees in Vietnam will need a minimum investment level ranging between US$500,000 and $1 millon to secure the brands.

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  • Asian expansion plan for Brotzeit

    Asian expansion plan for Brotzeit

    Franchised German casual-dining restaurant concept Brotzeit is aiming to expand its Asian network to 50 outlets by 2020.

    The Singapore-headquartered company currently has 18 restaurants in seven markets – Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Hong Kong, China, the Philippines and Australia.

    Now the company has partnered with VF Franchise Consulting to secure qualified area franchisees throughout Asia to reach its target.

    Brotzeit was founded in 2006 to introduce authentic German cuisine accompanied by authentic German beer in a chic and contemporary setting. The Singapore outlets are company owned, but since 2010 it has been franchising offshore.

    The next country market in Brotzeit’s sights is Cambodia and Sean T Ngo, CEO of VF Franchise Consulting, will be in Phnom Penh, on Thursday and Friday this week to meet with potential franchisees and investors in the brand.

    “The successful growth of Brotzeit is based on forging strong franchise partnerships,” said Ngo.

    “Asia is prime for a strong, German-inspired brand that focuses on traditional German foods, beers, and ambiance. German cuisine is well-liked by locals and expats throughout Asia, and Brotzeit is the leading restaurant chain in this segment with restaurants in seven countries in just a little over 10 years.”

    Founded in 2006, Brotzeit believes dining at its establishments should be a “unique, credible and memorable” experience.

    “At Brotzeit we believe in creating a warm, friendly and welcoming environment. Our passion as professionals drives us to provide high quality and innovative food and beverage offerings inspired by our German roots.”

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  • NYDC Vietnam closes last store

    NYDC Vietnam closes last store

    The last NYDC Vietnam dessert and cafe restaurant has closed its doors after months of struggling to stay viable.

    The chain sent its goodbyes to its customers via its Facebook page last Wednesday, promising to “return someday”.

    NYDC’s struggles first became apparent in May when it closed three stores in a row – Nguyen Trai, Cantavil, and Crescent stores in Ho Chi Minh City. It continued to operate its highest-profile store inside the Metropolitan Tower in the city’s CBD. However, after six months trying, finally they decided to close their last store.

    Two factors likely led to the demise of NYDC Vietnam: First, the increasing dominance of  local cafe chains such as The Coffee House, Phuc Long, Urban Station, Trung Nguyen, Kafe and Highlands, which offer affordable prices and comfortable spaces. The second is the more recent arrival of international chains, such as Starbucks. Before Starbucks arrived in Vietnam in 2012, NYDC’s main competitors were Gloria’s Jeans and Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.

    Many foreign food chains have struggled to gain momentum in Vietnam market. Both Gloria’s Jeans and Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf had to close larger outlets about three years ago due to rising rentals. Burger King launched in 2012 with ambitious plans for about 60 stores within five years. It has recently closed several and as of February its network stood at just 16.

    Sean T Ngo, CEO of VF Franchise Consulting, said that even though Vietnam is one of the hottest franchising markets in Southeast Asia, the exit of NYDC from Vietnam clearly demonstrates the challenges that many foreign firms face when entering a developing market like Vietnam.

    “Clear differentiation and positioning from competitors and near perfect execution is required if any foreign brand is to do well in this market place.”

    Brought to Vietnam in 2009 by Singapore’s SUTL Group, NYDC used to be one of the most popular foreign cafe chains in HCMC. The first two outlets were opened in the center of the city, at Metropolitan tower and Now Zone shopping mall, followed by Vincom, Nguyen Trai, Cantavil, and Crescent mall stores. The original plan was to open 20 outlets in five years with more than US$300,000 investment reportedly required for each.

    Opposite to NYDC, SUTL has been successful with its investment in KFC, which now operates more than 140 stores across Vietnam.

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  • On the cusp of a Vietnam franchising boom

    On the cusp of a Vietnam franchising boom

    A Vietnam franchising boom is nearing with about 40 foreign brands reportedly seeking franchise partners in the nation.

    With the signing of several free-trade agreements and Vietnam’s involvement in the Asean Economic Community (AEC), the franchise industry is expected to boom, reports VietnamNet.

    Figures from the Ministry of Industry and Trade show that it has licensed more than 150 foreign-brand franchises since 2007.

    VF Franchise Consulting CEO Sean Ngo says the recent free trade agreement with the EU and, more importantly, the upcoming TPP, promise to be beneficial for Vietnam. He is also Southeast Asia MD for global franchise consultancy Edwards Global Services (EGS).

    While industries such as manufacturing, textiles, and food processing are sure to benefit, he says other franchised businesses that will also do well include equipment, furniture and fixtures and raw materials, as Vietnam drops import duties or lowers them to near zero under the new agreements.

    He says that when the AEC materialises it promises even more benefits, as the focus in franchising is to offer products and services that cater to the Asean consumer.

    “This will help many regional franchises successfully enter markets like Vietnam, and help Vietnamese franchises also expand further into the region,” says Ngo.

    Retail & Franchise Asia chairwoman Nguyen Phi Van says 90 per cent of the franchisors its represents in Vietnam are from the EU and the US, primarily in the fields of food, education and training, and gyms.

    “Although 90 per cent of franchise brands are in the food industry, as the market thrives over the next five years, the percentage of franchises in the service industry will increase substantially,” says Van.

    She says Vietnam has the three factors needed for developing franchising. Besides its large market size, the country’s stable macro-economic situation is also key to development.

    Meanwhile, Vietnamese enterprises have not really seized the opportunities from franchising. Van says the main drawbacks include inefficient operations, weak management and lack of finance.

    She says that devising the right pricing strategy will be critical to success, as consumers typically have lower disposable incomes than other Asean markets.

    Meanwhile, the Vietnam Retail & Franchise Show will be held in Ho Chi Minh City from June 8 to 10.