Economic Buzz MNC Business TV for "Culinary Entrepreneurship"

This is MNC Business Economic Buzz
Live On Air November 17th, 2014

On Monday evening, November 17th, 2014, I was invited and interviewed by MNC Business TV. We talk a lot about Culinary Entrepreneurship.

Indonesia's food and beverage sector has flourished especially in the country major city like Jakarta. Given their hectic lofestyles, urban dwellers and workong parent families spend less time cooking with dining out showing sustainable growth as result. Surely this is good for business.

While young consumers in Indonesia larger cities, frequently socialise in chained cafes and restaurants, adult consumers are increasingly dining out both for business meeting or simply for pleasure.

In addition, family and festival gatherings are now typically also take place in restaurants and outdoor eating place.

Franchising is a common business strategy for entrepreneurs looking to establish and expand their culinary outlets.
Culinary entrepreneurs have opted to enter the market through partnerships or through franchising.

The population of Indonesia is obviously a promising market for the culinary business. However, the question arises whether local entrepreneurs are keen enough to see this opportunity and build a market of their products.

So far foreign food franchise outlets still dominate the food industry in Indonesia. In the middle of this tight market competition, there are still at least more growing local culinary businesses with various specialties.

Culinary business owned by Indonesians are gaining acceptance by consumers. Not just because of the products flavor that suit Indonesian's taste, but also their sense of Innovation that has led them to success.

The owners of popular local culinary brands were relatively also young when they first started their businesses.
They generally started their culinary business by using street carts.

However, now their efforts have evolved in many ways. They now have loyal customers, large number of employees and turnovers of even billions of Rupiah monthly.

Thw journeys of the young entrepreneurs in Indonesiam culinary business are long winding and full of challenges. Thus, what the successful culinary entrepreneurs enjoy today can be said to be the sweet fruits of their unyielding Spirit of Entrepreneurship.

Successful entrepreneurs in culinary believe that starting a business should be based on Courage and the Creative Spirit.
This is the time for Indonesian culinary business to rise by making local entrepreneurs mastering in their own country.

The same thing applies to local entrepreneurs who are expected to increase their competitiveness and innovation so that their products can be proudly consumed by Indonesians and the International market.

Doing business in culinary, for me, is really enjoyable. There are lots of work to analyze and understand people expectation, and of course try hard to meet the expectation by keep innovating new products.

For early entrepreneurs who have lack of experience, franchising food and beverage business is a good option where the market is huge and the business model system is already proven.
Later on, culinary entrepreneurs can challenge themselves to be more sensitive in understanding market / consumer. Culinary entrepreneurs should put attention to several things when they want to start culinary business:

1. The market or consumer's trend and expectation. What is the today's trend? Because we need to answer this specific as the culinary basic idea.

2. The food type needs to be the answer of the consumer's expectation and lifestyle. Therefore, explore and innovate to answer that.

3. Building the Brand. Building culinary business is not just buildind a good menu restaurant. But also building a Brand that consists of:
a. Engaging Food Taste Innovation
b. The experience of eating the restaurant. Including ambience and location.
c. The emotional assets where people should be having such good bonding with our brand. Even top of mind.

4. Location and how to reach the customers. Location is very important. If not, no one will come. No matter how good your product is.

Some old Culinary Food brands are now gone. Never been heard. This is because the brand failed to adapt to the market from time to time.
Yes we need to maintain the product authenticity but for sure we need to always adapt with the today's market and lifestyle. Otherwise, the brand will be left out.

Never ending innovation in culinary business is very advisable. To be follower will not be good for the business. Because consumers always look for the most authentic brand. The original.

K-Food Indonesia today do 3 main type of business:

1. Buying local franchise food brand and develop several outlets. We started with brand Bakso Kota Cak Man. And now we have 4 outlets.

2. Becoming Master Franchisor for local culinary food who needs help in developing the business. We are now working on Sour Sally Mini brand and have 6 franchisee outlets so far.

You can go to www.soursallymini.com for franchise information and contact us via email : info@soursallymini.com

3. Developing our own brand and innovation which later to be franchised. We have 2 brands at the moment:
A. Marlous The Premium Martabak
B. Sate Blangkon - Sate Buntel Khas Solo

For more information for franchise investment, can contact email : info@kuliner-nusantara.com