Coca Holding International, a pioneer of sukiyaki restaurants in Thailand, is scheduled to close its legendary 54-year old suki branch in Siam Square today, due to the severe impact of Covid-19 outbreaks.
Coca Suki restaurant on Henri Dunant Road has permanently closed as of today. The restaurant has been severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic's three waves.
Natalie Phanphensophon, the company's chief operating officer, said the company will permanently stop the operation of Coca Suki restaurant on Henri Dunant road after the leasing contract with the Property Management of Chulalongkorn University (PMCU) expires.
"I feel sorry for the closure of Coca's Henri Dunant branch," said Ms Natalie. "My grandfather opened this branch 54 years ago. It is the second branch of Coca Suki but it was the one that built brand awareness about Coca. Here, Coca is not just a suki restaurant but a place to hang out for both teenagers and adults. It is also a place for wedding events and many more celebrations.''
According to Ms Natalie, 60 staff at this branch will move to the remaining Coca Suki restaurants.
"We've tried our best to keep staff. Though it is not difficult to find staff in the food and beverage business given the number of unemployed people now, it is quite difficult to find quality people."
Ms Natalie said the company is still on the hunt for a smaller-sized space in the Siam location to open its new Coca Suki restaurant for its customers.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the company has closed three Coca Suki restaurants, including locations at Time Square, Chang Wattana and Siam Square. Currently, there are 6 Coca Suki restaurants in service at Surawong, CentralWorld, Sukhumvit 39, Megabangna, Hua Hin and Krungthep Kritha locations. Before the Covid-19 pandemic, it owned up to 15 branches.
Ms Natalie said it has been difficult for the restaurant amid Covid-19 outbreaks starting from the very first wave to the third because Coca provides 100% dine-in service.
Though the company has fully adapted its business to delivery channels, she said the company has noticed that these alternatives cannot provide a full experience like a sit-in dining restaurant.