Malaysian franchse 1901 Hot Dog has agreed a joint venture with PNS Francais Sdn Bhd which will assist the concept in opening in Saudi Arabia by the end of the year, with further developments scheduled in United Arab Emirates, Thailand, Indonesia and Egypt in 2007. The company is now looking for Master Franchise candidates in the countries to lead its expansion.

'PNS Francais will assist us to further upgrade our documentation process flow, automate our business processes and provide financial support to go overseas,' says Chief Executive Officer Tengku Rozidar Tengku Zainol Abidin. 'It will invest for us to operate in a few countries that both parties agree to be viable choice.'

PNS Francais is a subsidiary of Perbadanan Nasional Bhd, an agency under the Malaysian government's Entrepreneurial and Cooperative Development Ministry. 'PNS Francais did not commit a sum but it will help us invest in other countries,' adds Tengku Rozidar. 'Depending on the demographics in these countries, we hope to open a minimum of three outlets in each country.'

'From our survey, these countries offer the easiest entry point and the market will easily accept the product. So far, there is no major competition (for our product) unlike the burger industry, so it will give us an opportunity to be pioneer there.'

1901 Hot Dog, which has 60 outlets in its home country and a further five established in Singapore, was established in 1997 and retails hot dogs, as well as other food and drinks.

Published: 22 September 2006

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