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Red Lobter seafood restaurant. (Photo Credit: Red Lobster)
US firm Darden to open 13 outlets in Malaysia
(MALAYSIA, 9/26/2013)
The American firm Darden Restaurants Inc. has just signed an agreement with an Asian restaurant operator to develop its operations in Malaysia.
The deal the US company made with Secret Recipe, which owns 300 cafes across the Pan Pacific region, entails opening as many as thirteen units and the operation of its Olive Garden, Red Lobster and LongHorn Steakhouse restaurant franchises in the Asian country, reports AP.
The first outlet is expected to open its doors in the first half of 2014, the Business Times reported.
In this regard, Kim Lopdrup, Darden International president, told The Star that Malaysia had been chosen due to its rapidly-growing economy. “In addition, with the support of the Malaysian Government, we have decided to locate our Asian franchising business in Malaysia,” Lopdrup went on to add.
For his part, Steven Sim, Secret Recipe Group Chief Executive officer, said he was confident the Asians in general and Malaysians in particular would be receptive to new dining concepts and experience.
He went on to say that each one of the three brands was quite different, and each would target a particular market segment, from families to working professionals.
Sim wrote in an email to The Star that Darden's franchises have already proven to be successful in the Far East, in countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.
Darden Aquasciences Sdn Bhd, a branch of Darden restaurants, revealed last year its plans to open an integrated aquaculture lobster park in Sabah, a world's first. The initiative will have a cost of MYR 1,860 million (USD 570 million). For its part, Darden Inc. will contribute MYR 1,000 million (USD 310 million) to the venture.
Lopdrup remarked that: “We don’t expect to reach the production stage until 2017 at the earliest. However, the Red Lobster restaurants developed by Secret Recipe will provide a way for Malaysian guests to enjoy lobsters from our Malaysian aquafarm, and give the farmers additional customers for their products.”
Lobsters farmed at the park will supply Darden's Red Lobster chains.
Although Darden is mainly based in the United States, it has franchises in 44 locations in seven countries.
The latest quarter figures show firm's profit has decreased by 37 per cent. At present the company has over 2,100 restaurants and it yields more than USD 8,500 million in sales every year.
By Gabriela Raffaele
[email protected]
www.seafood.media
Information of the company:
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Address:
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1000 Darden Center Drive
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City:
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Orlando
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State/ZIP:
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Florida (32837-4032)
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Country:
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United States
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Phone:
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+1 407 245 4000
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Fax:
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+1 407 245 4989
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E-Mail:
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[email protected]
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