St. Marc Cafe, a Japanese bakery restaurant and coffee shop brand, has opened in Thailand.
Milestone Food & Beverage (Thailand) has been awarded the rights from Saint Marc Holdings to operate St. Marc Cafe in Thailand for eight years.
Chaitat Kamolvisit, Milestone's managing director, said the company would open 40 St. Marc Cafes during that period, each costing 10 million baht.
The first St. Marc Cafe opened yesterday in CentralWorld shopping complex. A second will open in CentralPlaza EastVille on Dec 20 and a third in CentralPlaza Bangna next February.
St. Marc Cafe is decorated in brown and orange combined with a modern style and a touch of Japanese culture, Mr Chaitat said. The atmosphere is meant to be cozy for hanging out with family and friends and enjoying desserts and drinks.
Milestone launched St. Marc Cafe in Thailand for three reasons. The first is the steady growth of the food and drinks business despite tough competition.
The second is the company's belief in the taste and quality of Choco Cro, St. Marc's signature chocolate croissant.
"I visit St. Marc Cafe each time I go to Japan and strongly believe in its quality and taste," Mr Chaitat said.
The third reason is the reliability and strength of the St. Marc Cafe brand, which Japanese locals and tourists have associated with quality food and service for a long time.
St. Marc Cafe is one of eight brands under Saint Marc Holding in Japan. It has 387 bakery restaurants at home, plus branches in Singapore and the Philippines.