That is AI generated summarization, which can have errors. For context, at all times discuss with the complete article.
Tim Ho Wan’s world CEO Yeong Sheng Lee says the dimsum chain desires to broaden globally with out compromising high quality and authenticity
HONG KONG – When the Jollibee Group first introduced plans to accumulate Cantonese dimsum chain Tim Ho Wan, folks questioned the way it would slot in the corporate’s portfolio.
Tim Ho Wan was completely different from the opposite manufacturers that the Jollibee Group had acquired. Its roots could possibly be traced again to being a hole-in-the-wall dimsum store in Hong Kong’s Sham Shui Po. Its founders Mak Kwai Pui and Leung Fai Keung as soon as labored on the prestigious 4 Seasons Lodge, and opened Tim Ho Wan with the assumption the high-quality dimsum ought to be for everybody.
Tim Ho Wan has since bagged a number of Michelin stars because it first opened in 2009. It was a model that prided itself in culinary craftsmanship, dimsum served recent and sizzling, and accessible high quality — barely completely different from the quick-service manufacturers that buyers typically affiliate with the Jollibee Group.
For the reason that Jollibee Group totally acquired Tim Ho Wan in 2025 for S$20.2 million (P892.29 million), the fast-food big of Filipino tycoon Tony Tan Caktiong has been making ready the dimsum chain for world enlargement.
In simply over a 12 months of the Jollibee Group’s acquisition, Tim Ho Wan has doubled its retailer community in Hong Kong from 5 to 10. It at the moment has 85 shops throughout 11 markets, together with the Philippines, China, and america.
What’s modified?
In response to Tim Ho Wan’s world chief government officer Yeong Sheng Lee, the dimsum chain’s integration into the Jollibee Group pushed them to determine a transparent model id.
“So, being a part of the Jollibee Group allowed us to really put much more focus, to ask ourselves what does the model stand for, what’s the product vary that we have to really ship, what’s the restaurant expertise that we have to really ship,” he informed Rappler in an interview.
Lee shared that Tim Ho Wan launched into a number of initiatives, resembling upgrading merchandise, retraining staff members, and rolling out normal working procedures throughout its eating places. Additionally they labored nearer with their franchisees to make sure constant high quality throughout its shops.
For Lee, the Jollibee Group acquisition didn’t change Tim Ho Wan’s core rules of serving high quality, genuine Cantonese delicacies. But it surely allowed them to strengthen their inner operations and scale extra sustainably.
The results of the method was consistency that may be replicated throughout a number of markets — a key device if a enterprise desires to broaden globally.
Lee shared that Tim Ho Wan now has a extra constant menu throughout its 11 markets, which focuses on dimsum that represents the style of Hong Kong. The core gadgets embrace Tim Ho Wan’s iconic barbecue pork buns, rice rolls, varied dumplings, and a sponge cake.
However to cater to palates of various markets, Lee mentioned that also they are providing seasonal menu gadgets, resembling their black truffle and baked hen buns — a twin to their barbecue pork buns — and the roselle purple rice rolls served with its personal tangy sauce.
The refining of operations resulted in a turnaround for Hong Kong’s beloved dimsum chain. Lee mentioned system-wide gross sales grew 5.2% within the third quarter in comparison with the primary half of the 12 months. Its earnings earlier than taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) additionally grew four-fold on a quarterly foundation.
“So this can be a good instance of how we’ve really been in a position to really transfer so much quicker and ensuring that each one our shops around the globe are in a position to execute equally, due to the techniques and processes that we’ve really constructed,” Lee mentioned.
International enlargement
Jollibee Group CFO and danger officer Richard Shin mentioned the corporate sees Tim Ho Wan enjoying a key position within the fast-food big’s purpose of changing into one of many world’s high 5 meals corporations.
In response to Shin, the Jollibee Group desires Tim Ho Wan to develop into the worldwide chief within the dimsum area.
“At present, there isn’t a restaurant firm that has efficiently constructed a model that leads on this specific class with authenticity, scale, and constant high quality. Tim Ho Wan to us is our reply to handle this chance,” he mentioned.
Tim Ho Wan is eyeing to have 20 retailers in North America by 2028, an enlargement effort marked by the opening of its Irvine retailer. This department is the primary company-operated location within the US beneath Jollibee administration.
The Jollibee Group can be at the moment within the technique of segmenting its home and worldwide companies to permit each entities to sharpen their strategic focus. Lee declined to touch upon its affect on the dimsum chain as Tim Ho Wan’s dad or mum agency is at the moment engaged on the small print of the spinoff, however voiced his pleasure over the transfer.
– Rappler.com
