Choi Garden Restaurant Company has acquired a 35% stake in Malaysian coffee chain ZUS Coffee. 
 

The agreement was signed by ZUS Coffee co-founder Ian Chua and Choi Garden Restaurant Group Chief Operating Officer Janica Lao, who said the food and beverage group intends to launch ZUS Coffee in its native Philippines. 

“We aim to introduce ZUS Coffee to the Philippines. ZUS Coffee is not looking at franchising; all their stores are owned by the company, and they aim to be the local champions. ZUS Coffee’s growth in Malaysia has been very quick in the last three years and they are incredibly determined in serving the local Malaysian market with localised flavours. We believe that they will do the same thing in the Philippines market,” Lao said. 

Founded in 2019, Selangor-based ZUS Coffee currently operates 195 stores across Malaysia. The coffee chain credited consumer engagement with its mobile app for its rapid expansion. 

The ZUS Coffee app, which enables customers to pre-order beverages for in-store collection or home delivery, has over 800,000 active monthly users and has been downloaded more than 1.5 million times.   

Co-founder Chua said ZUS Coffee plans to open 150 stores across Malaysia this year. 

World Coffee Portal research forecasts the Malaysian branded coffee shop market will reach 2,775 outlets by 2025.   

Choi Garden Restaurant Company is led by Filipino billionaire Frank Lao and comprises the Choi Garden, Gloria Maris, Icho, Beard Papa, Milk Tea Boba Girl and Perrochiko restaurant chains.