KUALA LUMPUR: Gloria Jean’s Coffees (GJC) plans to open 16 new branches next year, bringing the total to 58, while the 1901 brand sets its sights on hotpots, with both businesses offering franchise opportunities to would-be entrepreneurs to grow in the lucrative business.

       Offering varieties of the world’s finest gourmet coffees, GJC currently has 42 branches nationwide and aims to open businesses at selected LRT stations and petrol kiosks in the Klang Valley, next year.

       The Master Franchise Rights for GJC Malaysia was acquired by by Wonderful Lifestyle Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Malaysia International Franchise Sdn Bhd (MyFranchise) in November 2006. It also owns the Master Franchise Rights for Malaysia, Myanmar and Brunei. MyFranchise is a subsidiary of Perbadanan Nasional Bhd (Pernas)

       On the other hand, MyFranchise's subsidiary Big Nineteen Sdn Bhd (Big19), which manages the 1901 hot dogs business, plans to expand its business in hotspots such as shopping malls, tourist centres, petrol stations, and public spaces, next year. .

       A pre-franchise (licensing) brand, the 1901 business has 21 branches throughout the country and aims to open branches nationwide by mid-2022.

       Pernas chief executive officer Mohd Hilaluddin Abd Shukor said GJC and 1901 were among businesses that could be explored by would-be entrepreneurs who were interested in venturing into a franchise business due to their unique concepts.

       "Franchise-concept businesses such as GJC are in high demand among entrepreneurs, and we have business people on the waiting list who are interested in exploring business opportunities with us.

       "1901 is also popular. We’ve found that the strategic location that have high customer traffic for this brand is by the sea, as we have had in Batu Buruk, Terengganu. It’s a hit as it is thronged by many visitors and tourists,” he said in an interview.

       Mohd Hilaluddin said as the holder of the Master Franchise Rights of GJC for Malaysia, Brunei and Myanmar, as well as the owner of the 1901 hot dogs business, Pernas proved that it not only could assist entrepreneurs, but also manage its own franchise brand.

       Meanwhile, Wonderful Lifestyle chief executive officer Zafrul Azman Mohamed Azraai said GJC is in talks with 18 petrol kiosks to start a drive-thru cafe business.

       "BHPetrol is among the petrol stations that are interested in this concept. This drive-through concept layout is already in place and we aim to open at least one GJC drive-through in the second half of 2022,” he said.

       GJC franchise offers start from an affordable package of RM250,000, a kiosk package of RM550,000, and a shoplot package of RM770,000.

       "We also encourage existing franchisees to add more branches by opening their second and next next branch. This effort can increase the franchisee's income, as well as add to the existing GJC branches," he said.

       Big19 chief executive officer Mohairi Mohamad said currently, the 1901 business was being expanded through pre-franchise (licensing), targeting at least seven branches in each of the 11 states in the country, equivalent to 77 branches.

       "We are confident that this target can be achieved, as 1901 can be fully franchised later. The 1901 brand has yet to receive a franchise licence from the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs.

       "We submitted the application to the Registrar of Franchise (RoF) in September and it is still in the approval process,” he said.

       The 1901 hot dogs which are prepared through steam cooking still maintain a high level of quality. The 1901 franchise offers packages starting as low as RM45,000 for pushcart and equipment, as well as for a kiosk and equipment package starting RM91,000.

       For both GJC and 1901 businesses, Pernas offers financing of up to 70 per cent and through the Be Your Own Boss (BYOB) project, would-be entrepreneurs can enjoy financing of up to 90 per cent.

       Entrepreneurs interested in GJC can email Zafrul Azman at zafrul@pernas.my while those who are keen on 1901 can contact Mohairi at mohairi@pernas.my or visit #caripernas at www.pernas.my for more information about the financing offered to start a business of either brand.- Bernama