Tasting Success, Loaf Chain All Set to Double Its Presence

Chennai:

Food and Beverages conglomerate Oriental Cuisines Private Limited (OCPL) is planning to open additional 100 outlets in the country by mid 2015.

Addressing reporters here on Tuesday, chief executive officer of  OPCL chief executive officer Narendra Malhotra said that the addition will boost its presence to over 200 outlets. Currently, the group is expanding across seven brands from bakery to five distinct cuisine segments, which include Japanese, Thai, Chinese, Spanish and Kerala.

Interestingly, the group is focusing only on Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and West Bengal and the flagship bakery chain brand The French Loaf will take over the majority proportion of the expansion by doubling the number of outlets from 50 to over 100 by 2015.

Surprisingly, Malhotra is aiming to have a presence of the bakery chain in Tier-II cities in the state. “We may be targeting Madurai and Coimbatore,” says Malhotra who feels the pastries market is worth Rs 1,000 crore.

He says the neighbourhood bakery concept has been a success as it addresses daily needs of the clientele – from breads for everyday consumption, to exquisite cakes for accasions. “There is a need to increase our footprint and make The French Loaf accessible to wider section of people across geographies,” adds Malhotra.

Interestingly, the bakery chain is celebrating the opening up of its 50^thbakery chain in Kotturpuram in Chennai. And the success of the bakery chain has forced French Loaf to offer a 50 per cent discount on desserts and pasteries till May 13.

Interestingly, the bakery chain contributes 27 per cent share in the company’s turnover of Rs 110 crore last financial year. And Malhotra is ambitious and predicts a turnover of more than Rs 150 crore this year.