Swensen's (Thai), operator of Swensen's ice-cream restaurants and a unit of Minor Food Group, is planning to open its first Indian outlet in Bangalore this April. Meanwhile, the Thailand-based company has already signed agreements with master franchisees to expand the restaurants to India, Laos, and Vietnam, according to its top official.
“The overseas expansion is in line with the strategy set by the parent company to grow internationally and to be a global food company. The first franchised outlet of Swensen's would be opened in Bangalore in India in April. The first franchised store in Vietnam will be opened in Ho Chi Min City in May, and the first franchised store in Laos will open in Vientiane in March,” said Peter King, general manager of Swensen's (Thai).
"We have set our five-year plan to open 80 Swensen's restaurants in India, 30 stores in Vietnam, and about three stores in Laos. We plan to open franchised stores in at least two new markets every year by focusing on Southeast Asia first," King added.
At present, the company had 20 Swensen's restaurants in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Cambodia altogether. Besides, it also operates over 220 outlets in Thailand, of which about 100 are franchised.
"We have very strong sales growth last year despite the recession," said King, who joined Swensen's in July 2008. He previously worked for Starbucks for seven years in London and Hong Kong. His latest position at Starbucks was operations director for Southeast Asia and Korea.
According to earlier reports, the company, which owns the ‘Swensen’s’ brand of ice-cream chain along with fast food brand ‘The Pizza Company’ and coffee chain ‘The Coffee Club’, has plans to roll out a number of franchise stores in India over a period of 5-6 years.
Source: Inside Franchising
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