TJI Forges Strategic Partnership in Malaysia to Advance Southeast Asia Expansion

22nd August 2024

(Hong Kong, 22 August 2024) – Tam Jai International Co. Limited (“TJI”, “Tam Jai International”, or the “Company”, and together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”; HKEX stock code: 2217), one of the leading and renowned restaurant groups in Hong Kong, is pleased to announce that the Company has established a strategic partnership with Hextar Retail Berhad, a member of the Malaysian conglomerate Hextar Group of Companies (“Hextar Group”) to enter Malaysia, marking a significant step towards further expansion into the vast and fast-growing Southeast Asian market.

TJI has entered into an agreement with Hextar for the setup and operation of restaurants under the Group’s brands in Malaysia. This strategic collaboration signifies a major expansion for both companies, with the first restaurant expected to launch in Kuala Lumpur of Malaysia by the first quarter of 2025.

Hextar Group operates across a wide variety of sectors including consumer and properties, with a global presence in over 100 countries. It also has strong expertise in the food and beverage (“F&B”) industry with extensive local market knowledge, especially in the Chinese noodle segment. In addition to the success of growing its own noodle restaurant brand Zok Noodle House, it has also established thriving collaborations with brand partners from Macau and Mainland China, including Issen Hin Ramen. Hextar Group’s solid industry and local market expertise and proven operational capabilities, combined with its strong connections with major malls and suppliers in Malaysia, are poised to facilitate TJI’s smooth market entry and rapid expansion in the country.

Malaysians greatly appreciate a diverse array of noodle types. As a multicultural nation, they enthusiastically embrace both authentic and fusion noodle dishes inspired by Chinese, Malay, Indian and other international cuisines. The noodles category in the country’s F&B market has seen robust growth in recent years, driven by rising consumer demand for diverse and convenient dining options. Overall, the Malaysia foodservice market size is forecasted to reach US$23.95 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 12.81% during 2024-2029^[1]. With the distinctive taste of its noodles and other food offerings, a highly customisable menu and fast-casual, high value-for-money positioning, the Group is well-placed to capitalise on the immense opportunities presented by the evolving noodle preferences and broader F&B trends in the Malaysian market.

Mr. Daren Lau, Chairman, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of TJI, said, “We are excited to tap into another Southeast Asian country – Malaysia, following Singapore and the Philippines. Once again, we have adopted a partnership model for our foray into a new market, underlining our strategic approach to achieving more efficient overseas expansion at lower risk and capital input. With Hextar Group’s strong local expertise and proven track record, we are confident of establishing a solid foothold in Malaysia and capturing the enormous growth opportunities there. We look forward to leveraging our experience in the Malaysian market to further expand our global footprint and realise our mission of bringing our unique ‘Tam Jai taste’ to the world.”

^[1] Source: Mordor Intelligence

About Hextar Retail Berhad

Hextar Retail Berhad is a leading retail group in Malaysia, renowned for its innovative approach and commitment to quality. With a diverse portfolio of brands and services, Hextar Retail Berhad continues to set industry benchmarks, offering Malaysian consumers a wide range of shopping and dining experiences.

Listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad, Hextar Retail Berhad (stock code: 7202.KL) is a member of Hextar Group of Companies.