Chatime appoints new Malaysian master licensor

PETALING JAYA: The Taiwanese owner of Chatime has appointed a new master licensor to replace former franchise holder, Loob Holding Sdn Bhd.

In a statement today, La Kaffa International Co Ltd said Malaysian company Will Group would run the bubble milk tea franchise, taking over from Loob Holding, whose contract was terminated on Jan 5.

“We have had a very good understanding of the Will Group’s capabilities over the last five years as it has performed well as a Chatime sub-franchisee in Malaysia.

“In fact, two of the highest-earning outlets were operated by Will Group,” La Kaffa chairman Henry Wang said.

Will Group plans to open 30 new Chatime outlets in the country in the coming six months and 40 more shops by mid-2018.

Wang said he expected Chatime Malaysia to contribute 10% of his company’s total revenue in the next few years.

Meanwhile, Will Group managing director N Azila Ali said the company would continue to serve authentic Taiwanese bubble milk tea.

In January, La Kaffa terminated the contract, which was to end in 2041, with Loob Holding.

Loob Holding chief executive officer Bryan Loo subsequently told a press conference that the company would rebrand itself. On Feb 17, Loob Holding launched Tealive.

However La Kaffa sought a court injunction recently to stop Loob Holding from conducting any business similar to Chatime’s.

Source: FMT