Established since 2012, COLLIN’S® is one of Singapore’s leading restaurant chains synonymously known for its premium Western cuisine for the masses.
Recognized for its extensive menu and its Signature Grills with welcoming environment, their subsidiary brand - Common Grill by COLLIN’S® has similarly built its reputation on delivering quality Western cuisine at accessible prices while embracing its mission of uniting families and friends through the universal language of good food.
COLLIN’S® 成立于 2012 年，是新 加坡领先的餐饮连锁店之一，为大 众提供优质西方美食。其子公司品 牌 Common Grill by COLLIN’S® 同样以其丰富的菜单和温馨的环境 招牌烧烤而闻名，以实惠的价格提 供优质的西餐而享有盛誉，同时履行 其使命，通过美食的通用语言将家人 和朋友聚集在一起。
At Common Grill by COLLIN’S®, diners can expect a gastronomic experience that brings people together over generous portions of premium meats, seafood, and hearty sides. With its dedication and the ability to build trust among customers, Common Grill by COLLIN’S® remains steadfast in its commitment to deliver its promise of value for money food in every neighborhood across Singapore.
The newly opened Jelita Mall (Holand Village) outlet represents its first strategic approach to growth by leveraging on a franchise model. This avenue of expansion allows aspiring partners to invest and operate a Common Grill by COLLIN’S® outlet with strong and dedicated support from an experienced team.
Looking for a proven franchise opportunity? Common Grill by COLLIN’S® is the perfect choice. With a well-developed franchise package, we provide comprehensive training and ongoing support to ensure consistency, quality and profitability.
Join us today to build a business tailored to your success. Prospective franchisees can email their interest to edmund.ng@sfgroup.sg.
在 Common Grill by COLLIN’S®，食客可以期 待一种美食体验，将人们聚集在一起，享用丰盛的优质 肉类、海鲜和丰盛的配菜。凭借其奉献精神和在客户之 间建立信任的能力，Common Grill by COLLIN’S® 始终坚 定不移地致力于在新加坡的每个社区提供高性价比的 美食。
新开业的 Jelita Mall （荷兰村）门店便是其公司利用特 许经营模式实现增长的首个战略方法。这种扩张途径将 允许有抱负的加盟商能在经验丰富的其团队支持下顺利 经营 Common Grill by COLLIN’S® 品牌。
正在寻找经过验证的特许经营机会吗？ Common Grill by COLLIN’S® 将是您最完美的选择。凭借完善的特许经营管 理配套，我们提供全面的培训和持续的支持，以确保一致 性、质量和盈利能力。
Common Grill by COLLIN’S® - Expanding via Franchising 1 西式餐厅 Common Grill by COLLIN’S
Note from the Editor
Franchise companies, once they have built a solid net work of outlets in their own countr y, will often st art to look at overseas markets. Because many entr y barriers can be overcome via franchising , this is naturally a preferred model for overseas expansion.
However, in my 33 years in franchise consulting , I have seen many franchisors rush overseas in the most unprepared conditions – e.g ., when their nancial position is still relatively weak; when their team members are still inexperienced and psychologically unprepared to travel frequently overseas; and when their intellectual propert y protection is not in place…
Interestingly, I recently read an article about international expansion by Wharton management professor Exequiel (Zeke) Hernandez who studied a phenomenon in the banking industr y in his paper, “When Do Ethnic Communities A ect Foreign Location Choice? Dual Entr y Strategies of Korean Banks in China” Professor Hernandez mentioned the example of a Korean bank which, among other strategies it deploys, open branches in China populated by people of its own ethnic group.
The topic might seem unusual, but the phenomenon of rms expanding into foreign markets [to follow immigrants] is actually quite common. I am inclined to see Philippines’ fast-food Jollibee as a real example. Their rst outlets were in California because there are many Filipinos who live there…
But not all companies will nd it desirable to locate where immigrants from their home countr y live. There are cases in which companies deliberately avoided locating where immigrants live because they didn’t want to be associated with catering to a ‘niche-y’ ethnic group of customers or workers. Instead, they actually wanted to ser ve the broader market. Professor Hernandez’s ‘dual entr y strategy’ is quite interesting “If I am a rm and I’m considering expansion into a location that has an ethnic population, I’m going to do it if that location has a weak institutional environment weak courts, weak laws, weak propert y rights — but I will not or I will be at least much less swayed by the ethnic population in places where institutional environments are strong”
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I opine that before venturing overseas, doing tons of pre-entr y homework, and evaluating the external environment of a business by breaking down the opportunities and risks into Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environment al, and Legal factors (PESTEL) is tot ally essential.
May 2022 be a year when great breakthroughs happen for the good of all humanit y
Editor-In-Chief 总编辑 Albert Kong 江进兴
We welcome views and comments from our readers. Correspondence should be addressed to Editor-inChief at the above address.
Asia Franchise & Business Opportunities (AFBO) reserves the right to edit letters for publicaiton and also reserves the right to refuse advertising. With the publicaiton of AFBO, Asiawide Franchise Consultants Pte Ltd is not offering legal, financial or any professional advice or endorsements. Readers are encouraged to seek advice from professionals in specialized fields before acting on any information published herein. The views and opinions expressed in AFBO are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Asiawide Franchise Consultants Pte Ltd
Albert Kong
Editor 编辑
The Japan International Franchise Show
The JAPAN INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE SHOW is one of the biggest franchise exhibitions and earned one of the most respected names in food and beverage franchise in Japan. In the most recent exhibition March 5-7, a variety of services such as the needs of an aging society, home food, product deliveries and so on were featured. Many distributors, investors, and investing institutions interested in overseas brands gathered from many places at the venue Tokyo Big Sight. This event is part of NIKKEI MESSE 2025 which comprised (Japan Shop / Architecture + Construction Materials /Lighting Fair / Retailtech Japan / Security Show /Japan International Franchise Show / Good Appliance Expo Tokyo / Building Maintenance Connect)
Nikkei Messe Osaka will be held from July 10 (Thu.) to July 11 (Fri.) 2025 at INTEX Osaka.日经大阪展览会 将 于 2025 年 7 月 10 日（星期四）至 7 月 11 日（星期 五）在大阪国际展览中心 (INTEX Osaka) 举办。
NIKKEI MESSE
Overseas Contact Office c/o Congrès Inc. Onward Park Bldg.3-10-5 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-8276, Japan.TEL: (+81) 3-3510-3735
E-mail: tradefairs@congre.co.jp
The Leading Herbal Roast Duck Chain Sets Its Sights on Global Expansion
Dian Xiao Er is a renowned Chinese restaurant chain from Singapore, celebrated for its Signature Herbal Roast Duck and a diverse array of traditional Chinese delicacies.
Established in 2002 by Samuel Yik, the brand has grown from a humble single outlet in Chinatown to a network of 19 outlets across Singapore.
Culinary Excellence: Dian Xiao Er’s culinary identity is defined by its iconic Herbal Roast Duck, meticulously prepared using premium Cherry Valley ducks. These ducks are marinated with a revitalizing blend of Chinese herbs and spices, then roasted to achieve a crispy, golden-brown exterior while maintaining a succulent, tender interior. The duck is served with specially concocted herbal sauces (intellectual property), offering a harmonious fusion of flavours that has delighted diners for years.
Beyond its renowned Signature Herbal Roast Duck, Dian Xiao Er offers a wide selection of traditional Chinese cuisine. Among its 12 signature dishes, highlights include the aromatic Claypot Fish Curry, Signature Wheatgrass Tofu with Seafood, Baby Kai Lan with Salted Fish & Lime, Roasted Iberico Char Siew, and Pan-Fried Cod Fish in Superior Soy Sauce.
Each dish is a testament to the brand’s unwavering commitment to quality and authenticity, ensuring a memorable dining experience for every guest. Additionally, Dian Xiao Er offers Singapore’s Health Promotion Board’s endorsed kids’ meals, providing nutritious and wellbalanced options for young diners.
DXE App: The DXE App streamlines ordering process while offering innovative features that boost customer engagement. Its e-Referral Program turns diners into brand ambassadors, while e-Tips allow them to reward service staff. Additional features like e-Gift and e-Feedback
enhance interaction and personalisation. Beyond convenience, the app gathers valuable data for continuous improvement, help refine business strategies and elevate the dining experience. With the DXE App, dining becomes smarter, more connected, and customer-focused.
Awards and Recognitions: Dian Xiao Er’s dedication to culinary excellence has earned it numerous accolades. It has been honored as the Best Chain Restaurant by the Restaurant Association of Singapore (RAS) and was named the Overall Winner of the Singapore Prestige Brand Award (SPBA) by Singapore Press Holdings.
Notably, the restaurant was voted as ‘The People’s Choice’ in RAS Epicurean Star Award, recognising its status as a leading Chinese casual dining establishment for 2 consecutive years (2023 & 2024). These awards underscore Dian Xiao Er’s dedication to delivering exceptional dining experiences and solidify its reputation as a trusted and beloved dining place.
Additionally, Dian Xiao Er has been featured in media such as Channel News Asia and Channel 8 News, showcasing its strategic efforts to expand internationally and adapt to evolving market trends.
Samuel Yik, Founder and Managing Director of Dian Xiao Er Group, has been recognized for his visionary leadership and business acumen in navigating the highly competitive food and beverage industry. In 2024, he was honoured as the EY Entrepreneur of The Year in the Food and Beverage sector. The achievement has energised and inspired his entire team, driving them towards even greater milestones.
“I believe in a win-win philosophy in business.” Mr Yik shares. “For Dian Xiao Er to succeed, my franchisees must thrive, my suppliers must benefit, and the territories we operate in – be it a city or a nation must prosper. Only then do I truly win.”
Franchise Opportunities: Dian Xiao Er is actively seeking franchise partners to bring its dining concept to international markets. With a mission to establish Dian Xiao Er’s Herbal Roast Duck as a globally appreciated delicacy, the brand is committed to deliver a pleasant and welcoming dining experience, where exceptional flavours and warm hospitality come together to create lasting impressions.
Prospective franchisees will receive comprehensive support including in depth training programs, operational guidance, and tailored marketing strategies, ensuring the success of each franchise outlet. By joining the Dian Xiao Er family, franchise partners will be part of a brand that prioritises quality, tradition, and customer satisfaction.
For more information on franchise opportunities, interested parties can contact Dian Xiao Er directly via email at franchise@dianxiaoer.com.sg
Embrace the chance to become part of the Dian Xiao Er franchise and bring the taste of authentic Chinese cuisine to your community, where there is opportunity to grow and succeed in the thriving F&B industry.
Mainboard-listed Food Empire Holdings celebrated its move from Harrison Road to brand new premises at 7 Tampines Grande, Asia Green on January 16th amidst prancing lions, drums and gongs.
As a multinational food and beverage manufacturing and distribution group headquartered in Singapore, with a portfolio spanning instant beverages, snack foods, and a growing presence in food ingredients, Food Empire’s products are sold in over 60 countries across North Asia, Eastern Europe, South-East Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, Middle East, and North America. Supported by 9 manufacturing facilities in 6 countries and 23 offices worldwide, Food Empire offers an enticing range of branded beverages and snacks, localised to match the flavour of the local markets in which its products are sold.
Since its public listing in 2000, Food Empire has won numerous accolades and awards including being recognised as one of the “Most Valuable Singapore Brands” by IE Singapore (Enterprise Singapore), while MacCoffee has been ranked as one of “The Strongest Singapore Brands”. Forbes Magazine has thrice named Food Empire as one of the “Best under a Billion” companies in Asia and the company has also been awarded as one
of Asia’s “Top Brands” by Influential Brands. Food Empire is dedicated to sustainability, as evidenced by the receipt of the Sustainability Award at the Securities Investors Association (Singapore) 20th Investors’ Choice Award –and it also emerged as the winner of The Enterprise Award at the Singapore Business Awards 2020/2021.
Franchising
1. Via a subsidiary, Food Empire partners with an entity in Sri Lanka that runs the well-known Tea Avenue salons. Since opening its doors in Urban Colombo, Sri Lanka in October 2014, Tea Avenue has become a staple location for busy urbanites looking for a space to unwind. Tea Avenue provides a soulful nostalgia-rich experience with the convenience of well-crafted tea offerings and comforting food. Tea Avenue is an original experience to be had and is on its way to becoming one of the premium tea brands in Sri Lanka.
2. Through a JV with Indonesia’s Salim Group, Food Empire Holdings is a substantial shareholder of famous Korean coffee chain Caffe Bene.
How Early Adopters of Gen AI Are Gaining Efficiencies
Enterprises are seeing gains from generative AI in productivity and strategic planning, according to speakers at a recent Wharton conference.
Written By: Shankar Parameshwaran
Generative AI can affect managerial decisionmaking in “a transformative way” by boosting value generation, according to Prasanna (Sonny) Tambe, Wharton professor of operations, information and decisions. Tambe is also faculty co-director of AI at Wharton, which fosters AI activities across the University of Pennsylvania. He was speaking at a conference hosted jointly by Wharton’s Mack Institute for Innovation Management and AI at Wharton in November 2023, titled “Driving Innovation with Generative AI: Strategies and Execution.”
Its unique strengths in translation, summation, and content generation are especially useful in processing unstructured data. Some 80% of all new data in enterprises is unstructured, he noted, citing research firm Gartner. Very little of that unstructured data that resides in places like emails “is used effectively at the point of decision making,” he noted. “[With gen AI], we have a real opportunity” to garner new insights from all the information that resides in emails, team communication platforms like Slack, and agile project management tools like Jira, he said.
Those insights will be helpful in a variety of ways, such as more accurately predicting delivery times for say, software development projects, Tambe said. In recent work, he and his research colleagues found “enormous potential” in one specific use case, where they processed raw patent texts and gained more accurate “blue-ocean” insights than was previously possible. They brought a superior understanding of “where firms are innovating, and where there’s room for an entry-level firm to innovate,” he added.
“With generative AI, one important use case is to take these millions of documents in any context and try to boil them down into a small set of factors that managers can understand,” Tambe said. “Generative AI tools can be used to create intuitive answers to questions, and the technology is better at representing ideas in a way that’s intuitive for people to understand.”
“Generative AI tools can be used to create intuitive answers to questions, and the technology is better at representing ideas in a way that’s intuitive for people to understand.”
– Prasanna (Sonny) Tambe
For enterprises, gen AI’s power in providing personalized learning will “fundamentally allow people to learn on their own terms, and meet them where they are,” said Scott Snyder, a senior fellow at the Mack Institute and chief digital officer at EVERSANA, a provider of commercialization services to the life sciences industry. He shared those perspectives as he moderated a conference panel that delved into how businesses can leverage large language models (LLMs) using their proprietary data for training and fine-tuning commercial and open-source foundation models.
”As a digital leader, you’re always looking for the burning platform, and we had it handed to us with the pandemic,” Snyder said. “It forced us all to operate completely differently as companies. All of a sudden we were distributed virtual companies.”
“I see gen AI as the same kind of burning platform,” Snyder noted. “In fact, it’s caught the attention of executives like nothing I’ve ever seen. Eighty percent of executives surveyed now say this will impact their company and industries significantly, but only about 50% think they have the capabilities to fully realize its potential; 92% of Fortune 500 companies are doing something or building something with OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Now everybody is a data scientist in some ways.”
Gains in Strategic Planning and Customer Service
Gen AI can help enterprises become more efficient strategic planning in new ways. Gen AI’s ability to process millions of text documents also helps identify “actionable factors” for organizations, Tambe noted. For instance, it could help companies analyze competition dynamics in their industries and plan on allocating their resources and investing, said he said. Or, it could find uses in performance reviews and instilling corporate culture.
“If you want to take 30,000 performance reviews every year over 10 years and boil it down to a small number of factors that people most care about at your company, such as culture or fairness, what are those few things?” he asked. “How can you boil information from say, thousands of customer service conversations, down into an actionable number of factors? Gen AI can help us distill all that data and represent it back to decision-makers in a way that they can start to act on it.”
Enterprise-level learning is another area where gen AI has big promise. Chris Callison-Burch, professor of computer and information science at the University of Pennsylvania said, “These pre-trained models can do amazing work with learning.” As it happens, his research areas include natural language processing, from where sprung large language models.
Callison-Burch pointed in particular to a feature called RAG, or ”retrieval augmented generation,” which allows users to post web queries to retrieve information and summarize it. Enterprises could also use that tool to upload their internal documents and index them for retrieval via semantic search. “Those are super exciting,” he said.
“[Gen AI] is about marrying the AI and the humans, and the companies that figure out how to unlock that are going to get there the fastest.”
– Scott Snyder
A Measured Adoption Curve
Businesses are not rushing in to use gen AI, and their adoption curve is dictated by the risk sensitivity of their activities, among other factors. Avi Patel, chief marketing officer and chief data scientist at Fulton Bank, said companies are experimenting with gen AI, but at a measured pace. “Companies should stay current with gen AI and learn what works and what doesn’t work for them.”
In especially tightly regulated industries, companies will try out gen AI based on the risk sensitivity of their activities, Patel continued. For instance, they might begin by experimenting with gen AI in relatively lower-risk tasks such as document summarization, which would enable their teams to be more effective in their daily jobs, he said. One concern would be the risk of sensitive documents getting leaked out in the process of summarization with third-party tools, he explained.
Other early adopters of gen AI are focusing initially on activities with low complexity, such as Automation Anywhere, which provides automation services to businesses. Tejasvi Devaru, vice president of business applications and data at the firm, is encouraged by some early success with gen AI. His firm had rolled out more than 20 use cases in the six months prior to the conference. In one case involving robotic process automation in the customer service area, his firm was able to automate 60% to 65% of workflows, which freed up the team to focus on escalated emails and provide better customer service. That amounted to savings of nearly 10,000 hours, he said.
In another instance, Devaru’s team tapped GPT to extract specific information from purchase orders to ensure accuracy between sales orders and customer purchase orders. It allowed them to extract “structured information from unstructured documents such as purchase orders,” he said, noting that it was challenging to sift through product information and other details for more than 20,000 purchase contracts with each customer having a different format. Traditional methods were too expensive or time consuming. Devaru’s team is using GPT to process information for about 80% of the purchase contracts, which happen to be relatively less complex. But that shift to GPT is already making a big impact in improving cash flows by about $850,000, he said.
Automation Anywhere is counting gains also in its customer service “deflection rate,” which is a measure of customer support requests that are resolved through selfservice mechanisms like chatbots and tutorials, without human intervention. “Right now we have a 30% deflection rate, and we want to increase that to 60%,” Devaru said.
One big challenge for users of gen AI is its so-called
“hallucination” problem, where inadequately trained data can produce output that is inaccurate or biased, and does not match real-world settings. “It becomes a problem if you want to solve a business case that requires higher accuracy, and having a human-in-the loop in these scenarios is useful,” said Devaru.
“Companies should stay current with gen AI and learn what works and what doesn’t work for them.”
– Avi Patel
Early Questions Facing Gen AI Users
Businesses that want to use gen AI will necessarily have to make some choices based on their specific requirements, Devaru noted. One is to pick the technology that works for them from among the roughly 17,000 large language models that currently exist; ChatGPT is only one of those. “We need to think about what the business use case is and which language model to use for that,” he said. Some, like Google’s Bard, are especially useful in dealing with security threats, while others like OpenAI Ada are good at summarizing documents, he added.
Another question for business users is to decide whether they should use a public model like ChatGPT that is on the cloud versus using an in-house model. Even if a company were to use a public model, it could incorporate security features such as ensuring that its proprietary data is not used by its gen AI provider to train language models, or anonymizing its information before sending it to the gen AI provider, Devaru said.
As companies get more and more comfortable with gen AI and begin to see tangible gains, they would use the technology for higher-level or more sensitive activities. “[For now], companies are likely to think about very, very low-risk items,” Patel said. “But the biggest impact will be when companies use their tabular data and the power of context learning in large language models to understand risks relating to customers, or their likelihood of purchasing the next product,” he added.
Another gen AI feature that Devaru is excited about is the ability to translate from conversation or text to SQL (structured query language), which allows access to databases. “The use case that we are thinking about is exposing a conversational user interface to our leaders where they could get responses to questions like ‘What’s our sales data for the last quarter? Or what are our biggest deals in a quarter? How is it trending?’” he said. “That’s the power we want to unlock.”
Snyder, whose company EVERSANA is in the life sciences industry, sees even bigger possibilities ahead. “There are so many that I get excited about, like giving a voice back to people that have lost it because you can now generate it from their previous history and conversations. Or sight,” he said.
“Ultimately, I think of AI not as artificial intelligence, but augmented intelligence,” Snyder said. “It’s about marrying the AI and the humans, and the companies that figure out how to unlock that are going to get there the fastest.”
A 23% surge in trade visitors brought 19,454 industry leaders from 87 countries/regions to explore innovations from 466 exhibitors across 25 countries/regions—driving transformative ideas and deals. Among the trade visitors, 600+ top-tier hosted buyers engaged in 2,400+ pre-arranged onsite meetings—a 50% increase from last year, accelerating business connections like never before. Now in its second edition, the awards attracted 125 entries across the region with 36 innovations recognized – 26 finalists and 10 winners crowned – after a rigorous judging process that evaluated each entry’s efficiency, usability, sustainability, technological advancement and real-world impact on operations and customer experience. A trend barometer and source of inspiration for Southeast Asia’s HoReCa industry, the THAIFEX – HOREC Innovation Awards recognizes outstanding transformative solutions that are set to drive the industry forward across their respective product categories. The organizer Koelnmesse is already gearing up for the next edition—mark your calendar for 11–13 March 2026. Their sister show, ThaiFex Anuga Asia, will take place at the same venue over the period 27-31 May 2025.
INDONESIA’S BIGGEST FRANCHISE & BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY EXPO
WHY JOIN IFBC 2025?
Seize opportunities to expand your business across major cities in Indonesia
Officially supported by the Ministry of Trade
- The Republic of Indonesia
Officially endorsed by Indonesia
Franchise Association
Successfully hosted in 18 major cities across Indonesia since 2006
7000+ Business owners have participated in this event
The right partner to expand your business in Indonesia
Endless opportunity to connect with your next business partner
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JAKARTA 1 14 - 16 FEB 2025
YOGYAKARTA 30 MEI - 1 JUN 2025
BALIKPAPAN 20 - 22 JUN 2025
BANDUNG 18 - 20 JUL 2025
SURABAYA 12 - 14 SEPT2025
JAKARTA 2 31 OKT - 2 NOV 2025
HKTDC Hong Kong International Licensing Show & Asian Licensing Conference
2025 Driving Innovation and Expanding Opportunities in Licensing
As 2025 starts, the licensing industry continues to thrive, embracing new trends and unlocking the unlimited potential for creativity and collaboration. The industry has evolved beyond simple character merchandising into an electrifying playground where brands dare to dream bigger.
The HKTDC Hong Kong International Licensing Show (HKILS) is back with a bang this 28 to 30 April 2025, turning Hong Kong into a buzzing hub of creative energy. Under one roof, an impressive lineup of over 550 brands and intellectual properties (IPs) are set to steal the show. From arts and museums licensing to animation characters licensing, corporate licensing, lifestyle licensing, and entertainment licensing – they are all here to shake things up. International industry giants will share the spotlight with more than 70 Hong Kong’s own rising stars. Also, fresh faces from the Design Licensing and Business (DLAB) Support Scheme are ready to turn heads with their innovative ideas.
Concurrently held with the HKILS, the HKTDC Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair, Fashion InStyle, Home InStyle Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair and DeLuxe PrintPack Hong Kong will also be staged, providing an excellent avenue to explore prospects in lifestyle licensing.
Right in the mix, the Asian Licensing Conference (ALC) sparks game-changing conversations among industry leaders. Explore a world of fresh insights where experts share what’s hot and what’s next. The conference spotlight shines on trending topics include Latest Developments in Global Licensing, Technologies’ Application in Immersive Art, Historical IP Balancing its Rich Heritage in Changing Markets, Sustainability in Licensing and beyond. This is where market innovators chart the next big moves in licensing.
Register now for FREE admission to the HKTDC Hong Kong International Licensing Show!
HKILS is a flagship licensing event in Asia. It provides a one-stop platform for global licensors and brands to explore business opportunities with licensees, licensing agents and traders from all over the world. Check out our brands now! Star speakers
Asian Licensing Conference (ALC) brings together top-notch global licensing executives to share and exchange the latest market intelligence and trends of the licensing industry
Tim Erickson Executive Vice President
Brands
Organizer: Sponsor: For information:
Franchise Expo Paris 2025
Franchise Expo paris 2025, held from March 15-17, 2025, at Paris Porte de Versailles, represents a pinnacle event for the franchise industry in Europe. Known as the most international franchise show in the world, the expo welcomed over 600 exhibitors from more than 101 countries, highlighting its broad appeal and significance in the global market Asiawide Franchise Consultants again participated in this event, underscoring its commitment to expanding its footprint in the franchising industry. The expo offered an unmatched platform for engaging potential franchisees, business partners, and industry experts. The diversity and scope of the event provided Asiawide Franchise Consultants with an excellent opportunity to showcase its range of consulting services and exposing the franchise brands it represents. The 2025 edition of the expo not only featured a wide range of exhibitors but also included nearly 150 conferences and workshops, which addressed critical topics such as business creation, expert advice, and franchise development. Franchise Expo Paris’ role in engendering international collaborations makes it an indispensable event for those looking to thrive in the franchising world.
sure we have something for everyone, as featured in The Straits Times: https://www.straitstimes.com/life/food/foodpicks-cafe-de-nicoles-flower-ah-hood-kueh-and-marieslapis-cafe
What dessert makes us stand out?
We don’t use preservatives for our signature kuehs, Kueh Salat, Kueh Bingka, Kueh Kosui and Kuen Lapis Beras. These are well loved by foodies, influencers, politicians and movie stars. Kueh Lapis or kuih lapis is a traditional Southeast Asian layered cake known for its soft, chewy texture and vibrant, and sometimes colorful layers.
above and beyond to ensure every guest feels welcome and leaves with a smile.
https://marieslapiscafe.com/order
We are located at 537 Bedok North St.3 #01-575, Singapore 460537 Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 10pm.
Attractive Business Opportunity: Contact: Chris Lim +65 96385920
Taipei International Chain and Franchise Exhibition
The Association of Chain & Franchise Promotion Taiwan (ACFPT) held its Taipei Franchise Expo (Spring) over the period Feb 14-17 at the World Trade Center, Taipei. A total number of 450 booths made up of 150+ brands attracted close to 17,000 people. Several VIPs from various government bodies attended the Opening Ceremony.
Defining Business Leadership for a Sustainable Future
2025 Asia CEO Summit & Award Ceremony | Singapore
Influential brands host to an extraordinary gathering of Asia’s most visionary business leaders at the 2025 Asia CEO Summit & Award Ceremony, proudly presented by Influential Brands. The event brought together decision-makers from over 50 industries to celebrate innovation, sustainable leadership, and excellence in business.
Dignitaries, entrepreneurs, and corporate pioneers convened for an evening that underscored the vital role of leadership in shaping a sustainable future. With addresses by Mr. Jorge Rodriguez, Managing Director of Influential Brands, and Guest of Honour Mr. Seah Kian Peng, Speaker of Parliament, the summit emphasized the importance of resilience and foresight in today’s business landscape.
ASIA
Top Influential Brands in Asia
Backed by a robust market survey across Asia with the participation of 10,000 consumers, 56 companies were named the Top Influential Brands. From consumers and grocery shoppers to frequent travellers, the survey provides a comprehensive view of consumers’ preference in key markets in Asia.
Top Employer in Asia
Based on an anonymous survey of over 25,000 employees, nine companies were named Asia’s Top Employers. These organizations stood out for their strong employee engagement, positive workplace culture, and effective HR practices for the digital era.
Celebrating leadership across the region
We are deeply honoured and grateful to receive the Influential Brands – Top Brands award in the Property category. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who has trusted and supported Huttons in our journey. This recognition is a testament to our commitment to remaining at the forefront of the industry through innovation, staying true to our values, and dedication of an exceptional team.
Mr. Mark Yip, Chief Executive Officer, Huttons
We are humbled to receive Influential Brands’ Top Brand in Singapore for Supermarket, Supermarket Private Label and Online Grocery Retailer. These accolades reflect our dedication as Singapore’s largest retailer to keeping daily essentials within reach, even as consumers’ food needs and preferences continue to evolve
Mr Vipul Chawla
Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Fairprice Group
We are truly humbled and honoured to receive 2024 Asia's Top Influential Brand for Bubble Tea / Lifestyle Tea Beverage Brand for the second time. This is a testament to the hard work of our entire team and franchisees working towards our vision to serve a billion cups of happiness. As a recipient of this award, we thank our customers and fans for their continued support and trust in Gong Cha as we stand by our unwavering commitment to delivering every cup of freshly brewed, whole leaf tea with quality and service excellence – How tea is meant to be.
Mr. Danny Lee
Chief Executive Officer, Gong Cha
I am deeply honored to accept the 2024 Asia’s Top Influential Brand award on behalf of BonChon Philippines. This recognition belongs to our loyal patrons and the entire BonChon family, whose passion has fueled our journey and strengthens our commitment to sharing authentic Korean flavors, blending tradition with innovation in every meal we serve.
Mr. Alexander Scott Tan, Managing Director, BonChon Philippines
Winning the Top Education Brand from Influential Brands for the 10th consecutive year is an incredible honour—but this year's recognition is truly extraordinary. Not only are we Singapore's top education brand, but for the first time, we are also recognised as Asia's Top Education Brand! This award belongs to our incredible MindChamps team, our visionary Founder, Executive Chairman & Group CEO David Chiem, and the parents who entrust us with their little ones.
Ms. Michelle Peh, Global Chief Brand Officer & COO, MindChamps
CK Chong is a Master of Data Science and a thought leader in restaurant technology. He is deeply passionate about data science, machine learning, and various fields of AI, including data analytics, LLM, Generative AI, vision AI, and robotic AI. Introduction.
Agentic AI refers to AI systems that operate autonomously, make decisions, and take actions based on goals rather than just responding to inputs. Unlike traditional AI, which follows predefined rules, agentic AI can plan, adapt, and interact dynamically with its environment. In the QSR or any retail business, it powers AI-driven shopping assistants, automated inventory management, and personalized marketing. These AI agents continuously learn, optimize processes, and collaborate across different business functions, enhancing efficiency and customer experiences. By integrating agentic AI, businesses can achieve greater automation, real-time decision-making, and hyper-personalized customer engagement, leading to improved sales and operational efficiency.
Adopting Agentic AI in QSR or any retail business requires a strategic approach that integrate AI agents seamlessly into customer experiences, operations, and decisionmaking processes. Here’s the best approach:
1. Define Clear Objectives
Start by identifying specific problems AI agents can solve in retail, such as:
– Multi-Agent Systems – AI agents that collaborate across marketing, logistics, and sales
– Generative AI Agents – AI for content creation, personalized promotions
3. Data Strategy: Build a Robust AI Training Foundation AI agents require high-quality data to be effective. Steps include:
Centralizing customer and sales data – Ensure data is accessible across systems
CK Chong is a Master of Data Science and a thought leader in restaurant technology. He is deeply passionate about data science, machine learning, and various fields of AI, including data analytics, LLM, Generative AI, vision AI, and robotic AI.
Introduction.
Agentic AI refers to AI systems that operate autonomously, make decisions, and take actions based on goals rather than just responding to inputs. Unlike traditional AI, which follows predefined rules, agentic AI can plan, adapt, and interact dynamically with its environment. In the QSR or any retail business, it powers AI-driven shopping assistants, automated inventory management, and personalized marketing. These AI agents continuously learn, optimize processes, and collaborate across different business functions, enhancing efficiency and customer experiences. By integrating agentic AI, businesses can achieve greater automation, real-time decision-making, and hyper-personalized customer engagement, leading to improved sales and operational efficiency.
Adopting Agentic AI in QSR or any retail business requires a strategic approach that integrate AI agents seamlessly into customer experiences, operations, and decisionmaking processes. Here’s the best approach:
1. Define Clear Objectives
Start by identifying specific problems AI agents can solve in retail, such as:
2. 选择正确的 AI 代理模型 不同类型的 AI 代理满足不同的零售需求： – 对话式 AI-虚拟购物助手、聊天机器人（例如，AI 驱动的销售代表） – 自主代理–AI 驱动的库存管理、自动结账 – 多代理系统–跨营销、物流和销售协作的 AI 代理 – 生成式 AI 代理–用于内容创建、个性化促销的 AI
3. 数据策略：构建强大的 AI 训练基础 AI 代理需要高质量的数据才能发挥作用。步骤包括： – 集中客户和销售数据 – 确保数据可跨系统访问 – 利用实时分析 – AI 代理应对变化做出动态反应 – 确保数据隐私和安全–采用GDPR/PDPA（即《通用数据保护 条例》/《个人数据保护法》）合规性
Asiawide Franchise Consultants’ Franchising Calendar of Events
Note: All event dates and formats (physical or virtual) are subject to change.
2ND QUARTER
Apr 3
Apr 8-11
Apr 9-10
Apr 10-12
April 25-27
Apr 28-30
Apr 30-May 3
May 7-10
May 8-10
May 9-10
May 16-18
May 19-20
May 27-31
Jun 20-22
Jul 16-18
Franchise Expo Budapest, Lurdy Haz, Hungary
Food & Hotel Asia 2025, Singapore Expo
Brand Protection Congress, Singapore
lnt’I Franchise Show, Korea - Coex, Seoul
SMX Franchise Asia Philippines, Convention Center, Philippines
HKTDC Intl Licensing Show & Asian Licensing Conference Hong Kong
AllFood Indonesia—ICE, BSD, Tangerang, Indonesia
7th -8th: Asean Summit (Malaysia)
Franchise Intl Malaysia-KLCC KLCC, Malaysia
World Franchise Show-Miami, USA
FLEI—Jakarta, Indonesia
Africa Franchise Expo- Cairo Egypt
ThaiFex Anuga Asia - Impact Thailand
3RD QUARTER
Indonesia International Licensing & Franchise Expo (IILFEX) ICE, Indonesia
SIGEP Asia & Restaurant & Speciality Asia—Sands Expo, Singapore
Jul 31- Aug 1 Malaysia Intl Food & Beverage KLCC, Malaysia
Aug 8-10
Aug 21-23
China Franchise Show—Shanghai New Intl Expo Center (SNIEC) China
Malaysia Franchise Expo by MRCA Malaysia
4. 将 AI 代理融入客户旅程 AI 应该增强而不是破坏零售体验。考虑： – 店内 AI 自助服务亭 –用于产品推荐的虚拟助手 – AI 驱动的客户服务 – 聊天机器人处理客户订单、查询和退货 – AI 驱动的结账 – 通过面部识别或 RFID 实现无摩擦结账 – 个性化促销 – AI 代理实时定制优惠
Oct 16 Le Forum Franchise -Centre de Congrès de Lyon (Cité Internationale) France
Oct 19-21 National Franchise Convention, Melbourne, Australia
Oct 30- Nov 1 VIETRF. Hall A1, Saigon Exhibition & Convention Centre, HCMC, Vietnam
Oct 31- Nov 3 IFFA – Jakarta Indonesia
Nov 13-14 Arab Franchise Expo Dubai
NOTE: For the latest updates, please visit https://www.asiawidefranchise.com.sg/ events
MALAYSIA
SINGAPORE
THE FRANCHISE STRATEGIST
Asiawide Franchise Consultants (Asiawide) is Singapore’s pioneer franchise strategist.
Our current CEO, Albert Kong, saw a mismatch between the growth opportunities afforded by franchising and the lack of capabilities to leverage on this great business multiplier way back in 1989.
That was why he bought over his then employer’s company so as to help business owners access excellent franchise strategy consulting.
We know all about franchising because we have first-hand experience (first as a franchisee for Singapore , then as master franchisee – Asia- of a franchise consulting business based in Britain) in running a franchise business.
We continue to be a true-blue franchise strategist that is 100% focused on helping your business make quantum leaps by putting 35+ years of franchising know-how at your disposal.
BORN TO FIGHT UNETHICAL UNDERDELIVERY
All of us have experienced vendors who overpromised and underdelivered, and we are sure you hate that as much as all of us at Asiawide. That is why we made sure we delivered on what we promised, without fail.
THE BRAND BEHIND TOP FRANCHISE BRANDS
This is the vision that Asiawide has been chasing since day one. We want to be the brand that helps transform good businesses into great franchises.
We do this through our 3-pronged mission which is:
• We develop proprietary, workable, versatile franchisingrelated solutions.
• We deliver systematic franchise consulting services in a hands-on way.
• We deploy only knowledgeable and passionate people to serve our clients.
DIFFERENTIATED: Our consultants have real franchising experience. They are certified by various bodies. We do things differently in ethical, smarter, better, faster ways.
EXUBERANT: We bring incredible energy to every project we take on.
SYSTEMATIC: We plan our work carefully and work our plan diligently.
ACCOUNTABLE: We take extreme pride and ownership in all that we do. Our satisfied clients refer clients to us.
SOLID, CREDIBLE TRACK RECORD: We have developed and audited close to 1500 franchises and related packages/ projects in over 10 countries. These clients hail from all sorts of industries: food & beverages, education, wellness/beauty, retail, leisure, services, etc.
5 MARKETING PLATFORMS TO PROMOTE YOUR FRANCHISE:
The best franchising strategy means nothing if you don’t have the means to bring this strategy to the markets you want.
1. We have a carefully-cultivated 60+ countries (and growing) network with strong and dependable partners in each one to shorten your market entry curve so that your franchise can start generating revenue quickly.
2. We participate in close to 30 franchise & related exhibitions and events every year in the Asia region.
3. We publish the world’s only bilingual Asia Franchise & Business Opportunities magazine since March 1994
4. We organize franchising activities like match-making sessions and franchise study missions to different parts of the world
5. Our website and the social media platforms and email blasts – these create a lot of buzz and help our clients gain eyeballs
Talk to us today to explore how we can help you achieve your franchising goals
ASIAWIDE FRANCISE CONSULTANTS PTE LTD
152 Beach Road, Gateway East #25-01, Singapore 189721
KL to host inaugural asean franchise convention, driving regional growth
The inaugural ASEAN Franchise Convention (AFC) will be held this May as part of Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship, aiming to strengthen the franchise ecosystem across Southeast Asia.
Minister of Entrepreneur and Cooperatives Development, YB Datuk Ewon Benedick said the event would be held alongside the Franchise International Exhibition (FIM), which is expected to attract hundreds of franchise brands and thousands of local and international visitors. He said the AFC (May 7-8) and the FIM (May 8-10) at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre will serve as a key platform for strategic discussions, franchise exhibitions, and business networking opportunities.
The organization of this event demonstrates the government’s commitment to advancing the franchise industry as a crucial component of regional economic growth and aims to position Malaysia as the leading franchise hub in ASEAN. “In addition to enhancing local franchise brands on a global scale, this convention and exhibition will also attract foreign investment and create more entrepreneurial opportunities for Malaysians and ASEAN citizens,” he said.
Organised in collaboration with the ministry and MFA, the AFC will feature the theme “Shaping the Future of Franchising in ASEAN: Sustainability, Digitalisation, and Growth”, focusing on franchise sustainability, digital transformation, and industry expansion. This year’s FIM is expected to attract participation from hundreds of franchise brands across various sectors, including food & beverage (F&B), retail, services, education, and more. The event also anticipates over 30,000 visitors, with projected franchise sales reaching RM600 million. FIM has been recognized by the World Franchise Council (WFC), the Asia Pacific Franchise Confederation (APFC) and Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE). Meanwhile, MFA Chairman, Datuk Dr. Radzali Hassan encourages franchise brands from around the world to participate in the AFC & FIM and leverage this prominent platform
to connect with potential business partners, investors, and franchise leads in Malaysia. “As one of the region’s leading franchise exhibitions, FIM offers unparalleled opportunities to showcase your brand, explore expansion prospects, and engage with a dynamic market that is primed for growth. We believe that through this event, you can strengthen your presence in Malaysia while fostering cross-border collaborations that drive mutual success in the ASEAN franchise landscape,” he added. This program was inspired by Deputy Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, as expressed during his speech at the Malaysia Franchise Awards Night, emphasizing the importance of regional collaboration in addressing new challenges and opportunities. The target audience for AFC includes franchise industry players, licensors, investors, and government officials from ASEAN countries. For more information, please visit the official website www.myfim.my
It took place between 27th and 29th January 2025 and was organized and managed by Sunaidi Expo and Conferences Company which is a leading organizer of trade shows in franchising, F&B, décor & furniture, health & beauty, and jewelry & watch in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
2025年沙特特许经营博览会 (SFE)
The exhibition opened its doors to international and local brands alike, and was a launchpad for domestic, regional, and global franchise expansion.
SFE 2025 was truly an international event, and a point of reference for all franchise events around the world as was reflected by many exhibitors and visitors. The conference was a great success with presentations by many top franchise professionals, and panel discussions which hosted the elite of the franchise industry in the world.
During the Award Ceremony, The Franchise Trainer (SFE 2025 Franchise Educational Partner), a strategic partner of Asiawide Franchise Consultants since the former’s founding, won the “Top Global Franchise Consultancy Firm” Award.
Franchising in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: In our professional opinion, franchising is one of the most important economic sectors in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a result of the government’s efforts to create a thriving investment environment that attracts global brands.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of the fastest countries in economic growth globally and considered the biggest free economic market in the Middle East with a staggering 25 % of total Arabic national income.
Contact: Sary M. Hamway Mobile: +971(0) 50 453 7534
Email: sary@thefranchisetrainer.com
Why Southeast Asia Is Franchising’s Next Big Move
Mr Chua Wee Phong, Group Chief Executive Officer of Constellar, organiser of FLAsia.
Southeast Asia is quickly becoming a hotspot for franchise expansion. With over 700 million consumers expected by 2030 and GDP growth outpacing global trends, the region offers strong upside for brands ready to scale. Urbanisation in markets like Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines is driving demand for new experiences, supported by a growing middle class.
At the centre of this growth story is Singapore—politically stable, pro-business, and well-connected. It’s no surprise global F & B names like Shake Shack, Tim Hortons, Cinnabon, American headwear brand New Era, French footwear brand Palladium and sports equipment brand Salomon are planting roots here, with Chick-fil-A set to follow in late 2025.
That’s where Franchising & Licensing Asia (FLAsia) 2025 comes in. As the region’s leading platform for franchise and license growth, FLAsia connects ambitious brands with serious investors, business owners and master franchisees through curated networking, knowledge exchange and
direct access to Asia’s lucrative markets. 2025 will be its 20th edition.
“Singapore’s strategic location and robust business fundamentals make it an ideal launchpad for international franchises looking to expand in Asia,” said Mr Chua Wee Phong, Group Chief Executive Officer of Constellar, organiser of FLAsia. “FLAsia is a proven platform for new opportunities, connections and partnerships, and an essential springboard for brands into the region.”
“FLAsia is a cornerstone platform for strengthening our franchising and licensing ecosystem through collaboration, innovation, and knowledge-sharing,” said Mr Gan Shee Wen, President of the Franchising and Licensing Association (FLA) (Singapore). “As the dynamic launchpad for strategic partnerships, FLAsia brings together franchise and licensing leaders, investors, and aspiring entrepreneurs under one roof, to foster sustainable business growth and empower the next generation of franchisors, licensees, and franchisees to thrive in Southeast Asia’s rapidly evolving
Mr Gan Shee Wen, President of the Franchising and Licensing Association (FLA) (Singapore)
Exhibitor Highlight
FLAsia over the years has proudly welcomed an impressive lineup of brands across F & B, education, health & wellness and licensing, showcasing their innovations and successfully connecting them with regional partners and investors. Renowned participants such as Avex Asia Pte Ltd, Dian Xiao Er, Fun Learners, KCuts, Kids in the Room, TOROFRIES and Yau Gan Mala Tang have leveraged FLAsia as a strategic platform, achieving remarkable outcomes and robust growth opportunities.
2024’s edition with near 100 exhibitors saw close to 4,000 attendees from over 53 countries and regions, with at least20% of attendees being international buyers.
Dian Xiao Er: “The response (at FLAsia 2024) has been phenomenal, with keen interest from across Southeast Asia…It’s heartening to see visitors from Indonesia, Malaysia, and across Southeast Asia showing keen interest in franchise opportunities. We’re excited about future opportunities and look forward to joining FLAsia 2025”
Yau Gan Mala Tang: “FLAsia 2024 has been an excellent platform for Yau Gan Mala Tang…The event exceeded our expectations, helping us secure many leads, including around 100 quality ones, with strong footfall even on the final day.”
Avex Asia Pte Ltd: “FLAsia 2024 has been an incredible platform for us to explore growth opportunities in the region. As a Japanese company specialising in character licensing…we see great potential in connecting with businesses across Asia.”
TOROFRIES Co., Ltd: It was a great experience for our brand to connect with many potential leads. The event opened numerous opportunities for growth. That’s why we’ve decided to join again this year.”
FLAsia 2025: What’s New
Country Pavilions: Spotlighting homegrown franchise brands from South Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore.
Licensing Village: A dedicated zone designed to facilitate licensing partnerships and strategic IP collaborations.
Country Focus: Expert-led sessions providing marketspecific insights and tailored strategies for brands eyeing international growth.
Hawkerpreneur Zone: Celebrating Singapore’s SG60 and its vibrant UNESCO-recognised hawker culture, featuring promising local hawker brands ready to franchise.
Connect with flasia@constellar.co to find out more.
