JAS Asset acquires Casa Lapin

“During the past three years, JAS Asset has mainly focused on retailing businesses. That’s why it launched one community mall per year between 2014 and 2016,” said Suphot Wanna, chief executive officer of JAS Asset Plc and Beans and Brown Co.
“In operation now are Jas Wanghin, Jas Ramintra and Jas Urban Srinakarin community malls. 
“This year, JAS Asset has planned to boost its retail business line further by setting up Beans & Brown to run the Casa Lapin businesses. 
“Designed to diversify JAS Asset’s portfolio, the move is the springboard for the firm to enter the food and cafe market that it has long been interested in.”
Early last month, the company concluded an agreement to acquire the food and beverage business under the Casa Lapin trademark from Coffee Project Co, Thailand’s true high-end coffee house chain, with a budget of Bt42 million. Beans and Brown was established as a 60:40 joint venture to manage Casa Lapin. 
“Coffee Project was very successful in building the Casa Lapin brand. It is clearly different from other cafe franchises. 
“Casa Lapin is famous for its quality coffee beans and neat coffee-making. Staff pay caring attention to every step from roasting, to brewing, and to other stages of preparation. 
“Casa Lapin also boasts an impressive menu. It has great variety and distinctive character. 
“Baristas at Casa Lapin are also well educated about coffee-making and beverages. So, they can always impress their customers. 
“JAS Asset couldn’t help noticing the potential and growth opportunities of Casa Lapin,” he said.
Casa Lapin has seven branches, with three fully operated by Beans and Brown on Sukhumvit Soi 26 and Paholyothin Soi 7 (Soi Aree), and in Major Ekamai. 
The other four branches provide services through collaboration of the firm and its partners on a revenue-sharing basis.
They are located on Sukhumvit Soi 49, at GMM Studio on Sukhumvit Soi 23, on Ploenchit Road and on Ratchathewi Road in front of the Evergreen Place Bangkok hotel.
Beans and Brown plans to open three more Casa Lapins in central business districts this year, then next year it will add at least 10 outlets a year. 
The 2018 highlights include the opening of a Casa Lapin flagship store at a premium shopping complex in the heart of Bangkok. 
Covering at least 200 square metres, this store will serve as the ultimate experience centre where Thais and foreigners alike can drop in to indulge in the charming feel of coffee. 
The experience promises to be impressive and unique thanks to Casa Lapin’s distinctive style. 
The next step for Casa Lapin is to expand its presence to Asian cities such as Tokyo, Seoul, Hong Kong, Taipei and Singapore. 
Beans and Brown expects its revenue to grow by 600 per cent within three years, from Bt60 million this year to Bt180 million next year, Bt270 million in 2019 and Bt360 million in 2020. It has set its sights on listing Beans and Brown on the stock exchange in 2020, the year it is expected to count 40 Casa Lapin branches across Bangkok.
Surapan Tanta, chief operating officer of Beans and Brown, said Casa Lapin had striven to create special experiences for every customer via caring attention to every manufacturing stage. “Before a cup of coffee is served to customers, the Casa Lapin team works closely with partners from upstream to downstream. 
“Because we have collaborated with coffee growers for a very long time, we have a solid understanding of how to select, grow and harvest coffee. 
“Our coffee beans therefore are of premium quality. Casa Lapin uses only specialty coffee. We also rely on Thailand’s only roaster with Loring S15 Falcon technology, the world’s best, in making our coffee perfect. 
“We are indeed very selective about the coffee-making process and equipment. As for design, Casa Lapin caf?s are in the industrial loft style. The atmosphere is thus warm and friendly.
“At present, 70 per cent of Casa Lapin’s revenue comes from coffee and beverage sales and the rest comes from food/bakery. 
“In the future, we plan to add souvenirs to our places to generate more income, as our target groups are new-generation people with a love for quality and great design,” he said.
“The joint venture with JAS Asset enables us to develop Casa Lapin further. With JAS Asset, we have professionals in charge of management, marketing strategies and staff training. 
“Via the partnership with JAS Asset, technologies are integrated into our services to facilitate work processes such as payment and order-taking. 
“On product development, Beans and Brown will even set up an R&D lab to constantly create new drinks and dishes for Casa Lapin,” he said.