Lock Ann: Branching out with trucks, outlet still relevant

Fellow dessert provider Lock Ann Cafe 2 (Lock Ann) has also decided to cash in on the growing mobile F&B trend in Kuching by launching its own food truck this year.

Owner Lina Liew also agreed that expanding into this mobile business has comparatively lower expenses than if Lock Ann were to expand into another physical outlet.

More importantly, Liew said the mobility and the advantage of being able to easily participate in various events or functions played a key role in deciding to purchase a food truck under Lock Ann.

“Opening up a food truck is more cost efficient. There are less expenses involved compared to opening up a physical coffeshop or cafe, pay for the workers, rental. In contrast, for the food truck, you only need to pay for the loan of the truck.

“Also, it’s easier with a truck because you can move your products and services to wherever there is demand. Sometimes we are being invited or hired for events, we can easily bring our things there with the food truck. It’s more convenient,” she said.

The original Lock Ann Cafe was first established in 1952 and has since grown to a total of five outlets, including the food truck itself. Lock Ann’s food truck first

opened for business in April this year.

Lock Ann’s food truck currently serves the brand’s more popular items on their menu including its various shaved ice desserts or drinks and ‘rojak buah’.

She observed that Lock Ann’s iced desserts and other local dishes from the food truck generally attract all customers of various demographics, whether young or old.

Since opening up the food truck, Liew revealed that response from the public thus far has been very satisfactory, mainly because people are already familiar with Lock Ann’s popular shaved ice desserts and drinks such as ABC

(Air Batu Campur), Special, Ais Kacang or White Lady.

Perhaps in the future, they will create new shaved ice desserts to stand out from the dessert food truck market, Liew said, but for now, Lock Ann’s current and well-known menu will suffice.

Opening up a food truck is more cost efficient.There are less expenses involved compared to opening up a physical coffeshop or cafe, pay for the workers, rental. In contrast, for the food truck, you only need to pay for the loan of the truck. Lina Liew