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International café franchise to open in Vientiane
Amajor foreign-owned restaurant chain operating under the Black Canyon Coffee name will open a franchise in Laos by the end of this year.
The Khouanchay Trading Import Export Company and the Black Canyon (Thailand) Company signed an agreement to operate a franchise in Laos at a ceremony in Vientiane yesterday.
Ms Manivone Sitthixay ( right ) shakes hands with Mr Pravit Chitnarapong after signing the agreement.
“It's an investment of 9 billion kip by our company,” Khouanchay Trading Import Export Company Director Ms Manivone Sitthixay said.
The signing ceremony was attended by Thai Ambassador to Laos Mr Vitavas Srivihok and officials from the Lao Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
The agreement is valid for five years initially and the two companies can extend it, “however we'll have to see the growth of the business,” Ms Manivone said.
“We have decided to open a franchise in Laos because of the growing economy and believe it represents a good opportunity for our company.”
The company will initially open a restaurant in Chanthabouly district of Vientiane. “We hope to open two additional branches in Vientiane by the middle of next year and we are currently looking for a suitable location.”
“Our studies indicate such a restaurant is really needed in Vientiane, especially during the rush hour,” Ms Manivone said.
The company also hopes to open an additional two branches by the end of next year in “popular tourist destinations such as Luang Prabang and Champassak provinces,” she said.
Black Canyon (Thailand) CEO Mr Pravit Chitnarapong said the company wants to open a franchise in Laos because the nation is experiencing some of the most rapid economic growth in the Asean region.
The company has franchises in other Asean countries and other nations worldwide. The franchises serve both Asian and European foods.
“Soon we will have Lao food on the menu at each franchise,” Mr Pravit said.
Black Canyon was established in 1993 and is a leading Thai-owned specialty coffee and food retail service business in the Asia-Pacific region.
The company operates coffee houses serving food and coffee located in shopping centres, movie theatres and petrol stations throughout Thailand and an increasing number of other countries.
vientiane times
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