Recently, Starbucks Malaysia’s temporary closure of 50 outlets amid reported financial and operational difficulties serve as a stark reminder of the unpredictable landscape of the food and beverage (F&B) industry. Beyond the Starbucks case, other F&B brands are also struggling with similar external pressures whether it is controversies tied to celebrity endorsements, shifts in consumer sentiment, or the lasting effects of the pandemic. So, what can businesses do to weather the storm, to adapt quickly and prepare for the unexpected to survive?



To explore these pressing questions and more, we speak with Sofia Leong Abdullah, Franchise Consultant and Founder of Business Evolution Enterprise, on how to navigate challenges, shifting consumer behaviours, rebuild consumer trust and create sustainable growth strategies.

Recently, Starbucks Malaysia’s temporary closure of 50 outlets amid reported financial and operational difficulties serve as a stark reminder of the unpredictable landscape of the food and beverage (F&amp;B) industry. Beyond the Starbucks case, other F&amp;B brands are also struggling with similar external pressures whether it is controversies tied to celebrity endorsements, shifts in consumer sentiment, or the lasting effects of the pandemic. So, what can businesses do to weather the storm, to adapt quickly and prepare for the unexpected to survive?To explore these pressing questions and more, we speak with Sofia Leong Abdullah, Franchise Consultant and Founder of Business Evolution Enterprise, on how to navigate challenges, shifting consumer behaviours, rebuild consumer trust and create sustainable growth strategies.

Helping you navigate the ever-changing universe of business, from headlines to the bottom line

Helping you navigate the ever-changing universe of business, from headlines to the bottom line

Enterprise Explores

Lessons in F&B Resilience

Halal food & drinks looks to be a global market that is too big to ignore, with projections placing its value at $1.5 trillion by 2028. This growth, driven by demographic shifts, rising consumer awareness, and mandatory halal certification policies in key markets like Indonesia, has the potential to reshape the global landscape. With younger Muslim populations driving demand for premium halal products across both Western and Asian markets, the sector is poised for remarkable expansion.



Malaysia, as a leader in halal certification, has a unique opportunity to position itself as a global hub for halal innovation and export, while businesses face challenges like non-standardized certifications and compliance across different markets.

In this episode of Enterprise Explores, Damien Yeo, Food & Drink Analyst at BMI, joins us to delve into the findings of BMI’s report Global Halal Food & Drinks: A Market That Can No Longer Be Ignored. We explore what’s driving the market’s growth, the role of Indonesia’s regulatory changes, and how Malaysia can capture more value from this booming sector.

Halal food &amp; drinks looks to be a global market that is too big to ignore, with projections placing its value at $1.5 trillion by 2028. This growth, driven by demographic shifts, rising consumer awareness, and mandatory halal certification policies in key markets like Indonesia, has the potential to reshape the global landscape. With younger Muslim populations driving demand for premium halal products across both Western and Asian markets, the sector is poised for remarkable expansion.Malaysia, as a leader in halal certification, has a unique opportunity to position itself as a global hub for halal innovation and export, while businesses face challenges like non-standardized certifications and compliance across different markets.In this episode of Enterprise Explores, Damien Yeo, Food &amp; Drink Analyst at BMI, joins us to delve into the findings of BMI’s report Global Halal Food &amp; Drinks: A Market That Can No Longer Be Ignored. We explore what’s driving the market’s growth, the role of Indonesia’s regulatory changes, and how Malaysia can capture more value from this booming sector.

The Halal Boom: A $1.5 Trillion Global Opportunity

The countdown to Phase 2 of Malaysia’s e-invoicing rollout is on, with businesses earning between RM25 million and RM100 million required to comply by January 1, 2025.



Following the implementation of Phase 1 in August 2024, a KPMG survey highlights businesses’ varying levels of readiness, with challenges like IT upgrades, manpower training, and system integration posing potential roadblocks. So, what can Phase 2 businesses learn from early adopters?



In this episode of Enterprise Explores, Dr. Veerinderjeet Singh, Senior Advisor on Tax Policy at KPMG Malaysia, unpacks the fundamentals of e-invoicing, key findings from KPMG’s survey, and key lessons and insights from Phase 1. We also discuss the role of e-invoicing in Malaysia’s broader push for digitalisation—enhancing compliance, reducing fraud, and modernising the nation’s tax ecosystem.

The countdown to Phase 2 of Malaysia’s e-invoicing rollout is on, with businesses earning between RM25 million and RM100 million required to comply by January 1, 2025.Following the implementation of Phase 1 in August 2024, a KPMG survey highlights businesses’ varying levels of readiness, with challenges like IT upgrades, manpower training, and system integration posing potential roadblocks. So, what can Phase 2 businesses learn from early adopters?In this episode of Enterprise Explores, Dr. Veerinderjeet Singh, Senior Advisor on Tax Policy at KPMG Malaysia, unpacks the fundamentals of e-invoicing, key findings from KPMG’s survey, and key lessons and insights from Phase 1. We also discuss the role of e-invoicing in Malaysia’s broader push for digitalisation—enhancing compliance, reducing fraud, and modernising the nation’s tax ecosystem.

E-Invoicing Unpacked: Why We Need It & Phase 1 Takeaways

As we edge closer to 2025, artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape industries, redefine innovation, and open up new opportunities for businesses globally. In Malaysia, AI has become an important tool, enhancing operational efficiency, improving customer experiences, and driving data-informed decision-making.



Joining us today is Dickson Woo, the Managing Director of IBM Malaysia, to discuss the significant changes in the APAC AI Outlook 2025 Report. We'll cover the shift from initial trials to ROI-focused AI strategies, the adoption of open-source models, and emerging trends like generative and agentic AI. This discussion, we hope, will provide valuable insights to help Malaysian enterprises stay competitive and prepare for growth in an AI-driven future.

As we edge closer to 2025, artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape industries, redefine innovation, and open up new opportunities for businesses globally. In Malaysia, AI has become an important tool, enhancing operational efficiency, improving customer experiences, and driving data-informed decision-making.Joining us today is Dickson Woo, the Managing Director of IBM Malaysia, to discuss the significant changes in the APAC AI Outlook 2025 Report. We'll cover the shift from initial trials to ROI-focused AI strategies, the adoption of open-source models, and emerging trends like generative and agentic AI. This discussion, we hope, will provide valuable insights to help Malaysian enterprises stay competitive and prepare for growth in an AI-driven future.

Lessons in F&B Resilience

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