KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 18 — Oriental Kopi emphasised that strong people management and consistent product quality remain key to sustaining growth in Malaysia’s competitive food and beverage (F&B) industry, following the company’s rapid expansion from a single kopitiam into a public listed company.
Speaking as a guest on Bernama TV’s The Nation programme today, its chief executive officer Datuk Calvin Chan said the company’s listing and expansion have significantly increased its responsibilities, particularly towards employees and customers.
“Previously, we started with only five staff, but now we have more than 2,000 employees. Managing people has become the biggest challenge and responsibility,” he said, adding that maintaining service quality across outlets requires continuous engagement with staff.
Chan noted that unlike raw material costs, which can be negotiated or managed, ensuring consistent food preparation, service standards and staff training requires time and close supervision.
He regularly visits outlets to communicate directly with employees and understand operational challenges, especially during festive periods when manpower shortages occur as staff take leave.
Most outlets remain open during Chinese New Year celebrations, with management stepping in to support operations when necessary, he added.
On business strategy, Chan said the group prioritises quality control over rapid expansion through franchising, drawing lessons from his earlier ventures, where maintaining consistent standards proved difficult under franchise arrangements.
Beyond restaurant operations, Chan said packaged products such as kaya spread, white coffee and sambal have grown into an important segment for the brand, initially driven by demand from customers who wanted to enjoy its offerings outside the outlets or overseas.
He added that these products have since become popular souvenirs among tourists visiting Malaysia.
Chan also encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to start businesses with proper planning, advising at least six months of preparation, including identifying suitable partners and conducting market research.
Looking ahead, Chan expressed hope that the company would eventually expand internationally, bringing Malaysian kopitiam flavours to overseas markets, although no concrete overseas expansion plans have been finalised.
