An ice cream franchise that promises good returns

The former naval lieutenant is now building his ice cream business empire under the 'Best Ice Cream' brand opening up lucrative opportunities for the young Bumiputeras keen in business.

Malik who is also the CEO for Duta Prosper Sdn Bhd, the owner of the ice cream brand, noted that through the franchise set up he expects to establish up to 10 ice cream millionaires throughout the country within the next five years.

He is confident of achieving the target as it is only a simple business concept that involves small capital and low risks and all that it takes is for the young entrepreneurs to prove their earnestness in their undertaking.

In expanding the ice cream business, the company introduced the Entrepreneur Human Capital Package to young entrepreneurs who want to sell the ice cream with a capital investment of RM10,000.

"We will provide them with two-day one night training on the ways to make the ice-cream, managing the business, maintaining the equipment, marketing strategy and motivation," he told Bernama when met at the office at Hulu Kelang near here.

Apart from training, the company also provides the kiosk, ice cream making machine, freezer, the ice cream man bell, T-shirt, cap, apron, bamboo sticks and the raw material.

The father to 10 children noted that the seven month old company so far has created 20 Best Ice Cream entrepreneurs and another 300 are awaiting for their loans to be approved before participating in the franchise.

"If they do not have the capital we will help them to secure loans with selected agencies and we also help them in identifying the suitable business spots especially in places with heavy foot traffic," he said.

THE FRANCHAISE

Interestingly, this franchise approach promises returns up to RM10,000 per month for the diligent entrepreneurs who successfully establish a network of entrepreneurs under them.

"If you introduce this business to your friends and they sign up, than you will be paid a 'one-off' RM500 for every entrepreneur that you introduce," he said.

Apart from that, they also stand to receive a royalty of one sen for each ice cream sold by the entrepreneurs registered under them.

"This means, the bigger the number of entrepreneurs under the scheme the bigger the returns. This excludes the returns from the sales of the ice cream itself," he said.

Malik said the 'aiskrim goyang' initially used the technology from Thailand and has been in the country for quite a while now with the ice cream easily available at night markets.

However, the ice cream is mostly made using ready to drink beverages including carbonated drinks and therefore poses health risks especially looking at the high sugar content.

"Therefore, I thought of coming up with a new concept for the 'aiskrim goyang' and started experimenting using numerous ingredients including green peas," he said.

"After trying out the different ingredients for two years, I managed to come up with an ice cream that is not only much tastier but also softer in its texture compared with ice creams made using ready to drink beverages.

Through the study, the company produced the ice cream in three flavours using the 'soft' ice cream recipe. The ice creams were of good quality and used healthy ingredients like skimmed powdered milk, coaca butter, palm kernel oil , and the vanilla, chocolate and strawberry flavours.

He said the ice cream is being made in a factory in Batu Caves and the manufacturing process conforms to the Best Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP) and Halal requirements set by the Islamic Development Department (Jakim).

The Best Ice Cream was first introduced to the public in September 2013 during the Cottage Entrepreneur Carnival in Putrajaya and was well received by ice cream aficionados for its tantalising taste and soft texture.

"We managed to sell up to 7,000 sticks of the ice cream at the three-day carnival and the rainbow coloured ice cream machine was the centre of attraction there," he said.

Now, the chocolate and vanilla seems to be the favourite and Malik is now planning to come up with durian and yam flavoured ice creams value added with chocolate toppings.

On the unique ice cream making process, Malik noted that many were surprised that by just shaking the machine the ice cream freezes quickly and there was no need for an electrical freezer. An this is why it is known in Malay as 'aiskrim goyang', as it has to be shaken.

He said the process starts by adding coarse salt, ice blocks and water around the mould and then the ice cream liquid poured into the mould and then placed into the machine that shakes to mix and freeze the ice cream.

When it reaches half freeze stage, the bamboo sticks to hold the ice cream will be inserted into the mould tubes and shaken again to freeze the ice cream completely.

Malik said his company has plans to expand the ice cream business including by venturing into Indonesia when the time is right.

Currently, among the locations where the ice cream is sold by the company's entrepreneurs are places with heavy foot traffic, that include outside school compounds.

One of the ice cream franchisee, Mohd Farid Malik, 24, admitted that the ice creams recorded brisk sales since he opened up his kiosk in front of Sekolah Kebangsaan Lembah Keramat

"After doing business for a month, I recorded sales up to RM3,000 and was no longer dependent on my parents for income," he said when met a his kiosk.

He is thankful for the fact he could stand on his own feet now and even give money to his parents.

Mohd Farid, assisted by his friend Mohd Hafizi Abdul Rahman, 21, arrived at the school as early as 11.30 a.m. for the morning session and at 5 p.m. for the evening session.

PARENTS TOO KEEN ON THE ICE CREAM

The ice cream has not only won the hearts of the children but also the hearts of the parents as its quality is at par with the branded ice creams.

Right in front of the school, he could sell up to 300 sticks of the ice cream bringing in earnings up to RM300 daily.

According to Mohd Farid, when he started the business some compared the price of his ice cream with the cheaper ones sold at the night markets.

However, they still went for his ice cream due to its tantalising taste.

Apart from selling at schools, Mohd Farid also sells the ice cream at 'down town' at the The Mines in Balakong during the night.

"On working days I could sell up to 100 sticks there, but during weekends and public holidays I could sell more than 300 during the night," he said.

Mohd Farid noted that he has set the target of earning up to RM10,000 per month and is expanding his venture with two entrepreneurs under him.

"I also promote the Best Ice Cream through social websites like Facebook and Instagram and through the same medium I managed to find those keen in this business," he said.