Worldwide exposure for M'sian franchise companies

Forty-six Malaysian franchise companies have stamped their mark in 50 countries worldwide.

Deputy Minister for Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim said today that nine of the companies are wholly owned by bumiputeras while the remaining 37 are non-bumiputera companies.

Nelson leads the pack with a total of 675 outlets worldwide.

Those in the top ten list include Daily Fresh with 481 outlets followed by Secret Recipe, England Optical, Old Town White Coffee, World of Feng Shui, Smart Reader, Royal Selangor, Ideal Malaysian Support and Marry Brown.

Rohani was answering a question by Datuk Baharum Mohamed (BN–Sekijang) to state the number of franchise companies from Malaysia which has been able to penetrate the international market.

Among the other companies Malaysian franchise setups are Ani Sup Utara, Beaubelle Worldwide, Borneo Oil Berhad, Cambride English For Life, CB Franchising, Clara, Classic Bonita, Bangi Kopitiam, Daily Fresh, De Tandoor, De Nevachi, England Optical, Focus Point, Mama Chops Papa Grill, Gateway Option, Global Top Technologies, Jukebox, Hobby Auto, Hot and Roll, Ideal Malaysian Support, Echopark, Kenny Rogers Roasters, Little Taiwan, Matrix Valley, Ms Read, Nelson’s, 1901, Pusat Tusyen Mawar, Q-Dees, Rangkaian Hotel Seri Malaysia, Rona, Royal Selangor, Saba Islamic Media, Seng Heng, Sinma, Snips Salon, Sports Planet, Station One Leisure Café, Sime Rider, Tomei Diamond and Vital Years

Commenting on a supplementary question by Baharum on whether the ministry requires the franchisors to carry the ‘halal’ label, she said currently some countries like Dubai do encourage franchisors to bear the halal mark.

“We are constantly following exhibition overseas including in Dubai which is the 5th World Halal Expo where they require franchisors to use the halal label,” she told the Dewan Rakyat today.

She said other countries also had requested for Malaysia to play an important role in supplying halal products, especially for beef and chicken.

“We are always active in following and encouraging our franchisors to join exhibition conducted not just by the ministry but other agencies so that they would get enough exposures and at the same time our franchises can become well-known worldwide,” Rohani added.