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Published on December 25, 2007

The first Ban Rei Bai Kra Prao branch at Ekamai in Bangkok has received a good response and generates revenue of Bt2 million per month, president Asawin Khairatsame said yesterday.

The two new Bangkok locations are on Kaset-Navamin Road and Rama II Road near Central Rama II, each covering an area of 5 rai.

The company will invest Bt5 million for each branch. Construction is projected to start in March 2009 and will be completed in May.

The first Ban Rei Bai Kra Pro restaurant began full operations in October. Revenue from the outlet has climbed to Bt2 million per month.

"The company has earned Bt3.5 million since the Ekamai branch opened. The number is beyond our expectations," Asawin said.

Asawin added that revenue from Ban Rei Bai Kra Prow had lifted the company's operating results.

If the company had not created a new restaurant, its revenue this year might have stayed at Bt145 million. Plantation and Farm Design (Thailand) expects to generate Bt150 million in revenue this year.

However, the firm has no plans to open restaurants in provincial areas because these are not good locations. Besides, the company will not switch its overall focus to the food business instead of coffee shops.

In 2007, Plantation and Farm Design (Thailand) closed down six Ban Rei Caf branches in BTS Skytrain stations.

There is a last shop at the National Stadium station, which the company will close in February.

At present, there are 74 Ban Rei Caf branches around the country, a decline from the earlier maximum of 110, Asawin said.

Asawin added that the company would invest Bt15 million next year to open both restaurants and coffee shops, Bt10 million of which will go to the new branches of Ban Rei Bai Kra Prao.

For the coffee business, the company plans to open six counters for Coffee F - a new fresh-coffee franchise - next year.

Meanwhile, Ban Rei Caf is projected to open four new branches at Central Department Stores, including in Chon Buri and Khon Kaen.

Nalin Viboonchart

 The Nation