Family on a roll

Family on a roll

The Kewkachas have taken their inspiration from Japan, and their latest venture, a Kyoto-style dessert house, is proving a big hit.

After 35 years of dealings with the Japanese, the Kewkacha family led by Pin Kewkacha, the founder of Safari World theme park, has gained a deep understanding of the Japanese working style.

Average spending at is 150 baht, higher by half than the average at Sfree, says Mr Litti.

In fact, Japan's culture and the samurai ethic have been incorporated into the park's operation.

Mr Pin fell in love with Japanese culture back when he was importing fish from Japan to sell in Thailand.

The fish business grew over time, and Mr Pin later extended his business to the theme park and a securities firm.

His love of Japanese culture has rubbed off on his seventh child, Litti, who even has a Japanese look. The family created Sfree, a Japanese healthy dessert cafe{aac} in Thailand, five years ago.

Today the company has five Japanese-style dessert and cafe{aac} brands: Sfree, Parferio, Sfree Dessert Express, Aldys Coffee Lite and Kyo Roll En.

Mr Litti, Kacha Brothers Co's executive vice-president for marketing and business development, said the company joined with a Japanese partner to open the first branch of Kyo Roll En, the Kyoto lifestyle cafe{aac}, in the Gateway shopping complex at the Ekamai intersection.

The Japanese trend remains popular among Thai customers, and the company plans to introduce three Japanese-style businesses in Thailand next year. Two of the brands will be the family's own and the other a Japanese brand.

Overall, the company's expansion will cost 50 million baht next year. With additional outlets, the number of lifestyle cafe{aac}s under the group will reach 48 next year with sales of more than 120 million baht.

The imminent Asean Economic Community in 2016 is seen as benefiting the group in terms of import tax for food equipment and containers.

The 115-square-metre Kyo Roll En in Gateway, costing 8 million baht, is designed in the style of a machiya, a traditional Kyoto house. It offers more than 100 dessert items priced from 85-489 baht.

"We've received a better-than-expected response from customers, with 350-650 customers a day without any promotion," said Mr Litti said. Average spending at Kyo Roll En is 150 baht, double the average at Sfree.

The company will open three more Kyo Roll En stores in Bangkok next year. Mr Litti said there is room to grow in the dessert business if the company can set itself apart from others.

The company has been contacted by many Japanese investors wanting to be partners in local business. Apart from its own brands, the company will look for opportunities with other Japanese brands next year.

"We'll focus on a specialty store for each category," said Mr Litti.

Later, he hopes to fulfil his dream of expanding the brand abroad.

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