KUALA LUMPUR: Loob Holding Sdn Bhd (LHSB), the holding company to bubble tea brand Tealive, has inked a master franchise agreement with a unit of HSC Group, Cambodia's largest food and beverage 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 is a good fit for the Tealive brand as it has been custodian of various international brands in the food and beverage (F&B) industry.
Loo said the company's confidence in HSC Group is further bolstered by their bold plans to set up its first outlet over a 3,000 square feet at a prime location in Phnom Penh.
"This outlet will have properly planned dine-in facilities complete with a live entertainment section where singers will perform each night," he said.
Loo said on the company's part, it will bring in the latest Tealive 3.0 format that meets new normal requirements and more, like contactless ordering and payment, drive-through and drive-in models, coupled up with the full range of Tealive Eats snacks.
"Our store will take on the café ambience where customers will chill and spend a lot more time than currently.
"As we enter Cambodia, we will bring this Tealive 3.0 format over there. We're happy with the speed of HSC Group in their planning and execution," he said.
HSC Group is owned by Oknha Sok Hong, the son of well-known Cambodian tycoon Oknha Sok Kong whose Sokimex conglomerate is involved in diverse businesses including Cambodia's largest petrol station network.
HSC Group currently manages international F&B brands like Paris Baguette, Crystal Jade Restaurant, Burger King, 100 Plus and others in Cambodia besides retail brands and cosmetics.
Hong said the timing was ideal as Cambodians are now ready to accept modern tea culture as various international brands have entered the market over the years and there's much room to grow.
"We're both proud and excited to introduce Tealive to Cambodians as the brand's positioning of affordable luxury and innovative products are exactly what young Cambodians want.
"With HSC's local experience, we make a great team to bring this leading lifestyle tea brand for Cambodians to enjoy," he said.