Burger Bakar Abang Burn strives to double sales to RM20m

Food Artist (M) Sdn Bhd, the homegrown franchisor of 'Abang Burn' grilled burger, aims to almost double its sales to about RM20 million in two years' time, its managing director and founder, Sabrie Salleh said.

Anticipating slower demand for the first six months after the Goods and Services Tax (GST) implementation in April, he expects this year's sales to be worth about RM12 million.

"I expect the sales to pick up after that and to almost double on the back of better systems that we are streamlining and a good leadership," he said.

Sabrie said 4.5 million 'Burger Bakar Abang Burn' had been sold since two-and-a half years ago, representing 32 percent of the grilled burger market in the country, thus making it the biggest segment leader.

"We've grown fast in the market in the last four-and-a-half years. Although we are not the pioneer, we managed to capitalise on our brand and products," he told Bernama on the sidelines of the International Franchise Summit 2015 recently.

Burger Bakar Abang Burn, which has revolutionised the country's roadside burger, is sold at an average price of RM7.50.

Being a homegrown franchisor, Sabrie advised those thinking of becoming a franchisee to ensure that the franchisors they are interested in have a good leadership, a good business plan and a strong operating system that could support the business in the long run.

On Burger Bakar Abang Burn's expansion plan, he said the company is in the midst of strengthening its systems and to increase its franchisees from 11 at present to 20 by the end of 2016.

The company has allocated about RM500,000 this year to spruce up its franchise outlets to make them more appealing to customers, he said.

The outlets are registering sales of between RM60,000 and RM90,000 a month, depending on their locations and customers' traffic, he said, adding that Food Artist does not charge royalties on franchisees, instead it acts more like a manufacturer, leveraging on the sales of its franchise outlets.