TEALIVE ENTERS CAMBODIAN MARKET

Loob Holding Sdn Bhd inks deal with HSC Group to set up 25 outlets in the country in five years

LOOB Holding Sdn Bhd (LHSB), the holding company of bubble tea brand Tealive, has inked a master franchise agreement with a unit of HSC Group, Cambodia’s largest food and beverage (F&B) player, to set up 25 Tealive outlets in five years.

This will mark Tealive’s eighth market after Malaysia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Brunei, the Philippines, Australia and the United Kingdom.

LHSB founder and chief executive officer Bryan Loo said the Cambodian partner was a good fit for Tealive as it was the custodian of various international brands in the country’s F&B industry.

Loo said the company’s confidence in HSC Group was further bolstered by its bold plans to set up its first outlet over a 3,000sq ft area at a prime location in Phnom Penh.

“This outlet will have dine-in facilities complete with a live entertainment section where singers will perform each night.”

On the company’s part, Loo said, it would bring in the latest Tealive 3.0 format such as contactless ordering and payment, drive-through and drive-in models, coupled up with the full range of Tealive Eats snacks.

He said the outlet would have a cafe-like environment where customers could relax.

HSC Group is owned by Oknha Sok Hong, the son of Cambodian tycoon Oknha Sok Kong, whose Sokimex conglomerate is involved in diverse businesses, including Cambodia’s largest petrol station network.

HSC Group manages international F&B brands such as Paris Baguette, Crystal Jade Restaurant, Burger King, 100 Plus and others in Cambodia besides retail brands and cosmetics.

Hong said the timing of Tealive’s entry into the country was ideal as Cambodians were ready to accept the modern tea culture.

Furthermore, he said many international brands had been entering the market over the past years and there was still room for expansion.

“We’re proud and excited to introduce Tealive to Cambodians as the brand’s positioning of affordable luxury and innovative products are what young Cambodians want.

“With HSC’s local experience, we make a great team in bringing this leading lifestyle tea brand for Cambodians to enjoy,” he said.