Oishi poised to cross borders

“We selected Shabushi and Oishi Ramen to be our first two ambassador brands as we have a strong understanding of their business and they are the most ready to be taken abroad, relying less on a chef’s skills,” vice president Paisal Aowsathaporn said yesterday.
“They also have good business models, which will allow us to expand outlets more easily in overseas markets and at high speed.”
The move will be made through both franchising and joint ventures with local partners in particular |markets.
Oishi Group now has 144 restaurants in Thailand and is aiming |for 156 by the end of the year under six major Japanese-food brands – Oishi Buffet, Oishi Ramen, Shabushi, Nikuya, Kazokugei and the latest Kakashi, which had its grand opening yesterday.
Kakashi is a quick-service rice restaurant appealing to students and first-jobbers, with gyudon beef bowls starting at Bt75.
There will be 20-30 items on the menu.
“We have developed Kakashi to be opened initially in hypermarkets and shopping malls,” Paisal said.
Three have been operating since May in Seacon Square, Fortune Town and Tesco Lotus Bangna.
About 10 Kakashi restaurants |are planned for the first year. Six |or seven prime locations have |already been selected.
The chain is expected to reach 30 branches in three years.
“We expect our Kakashi restaurants to generate Bt30 million to Bt40 million in sales by the end of this year and about Bt150 million in the first 12 months,” he said.
The quick-service restaurant market is worth more than Bt20 billion and the company expects to achieve at least Bt2 billion in sales in five years, or about 10 per cent of the |market. Oishi Group targets about Bt5.2 billion in overall sales this year |from its food and restaurant businesses.