On August 21st, BFM hosted the Enterprise Breakaway: From Farm to Franchise event, where industry experts and seasoned F&B operators explored what it takes to build a successful and lasting F&B franchise in Malaysia.

In the Founder Fireside: Building a Malaysian Franchise session, I spoke with Bryan Loo, the Founder and CEO of Loob Holdings, the organisation behind the Tealive brand and the up-and-coming coffee chain, BaskBear.

Bryan shares his journey from being a biotechnology graduate to becoming a powerhouse in the F&B industry—a path that began with a chance encounter at a franchise exhibition in Taiwan.

During this engaging conversation, Bryan discusses the strategic decisions that fueled Tealive’s rapid expansion from a humble startup to nearly a thousand outlets, both locally and internationally. He delves into the challenges of navigating the competitive F&B landscape, the importance of processes and professionalisation, and the critical role of innovation and adaptability in staying ahead.

Bryan also opens up about the lessons learned from early missteps in overseas expansion, the importance of choosing the right business partners, and how Tealive is positioning itself for future growth in Southeast Asia and beyond.

Key topics covered:

- Bryan’s accidental entry into the F&B industry and the early days of Tealive

- Strategic decisions behind Tealive’s rapid local and international expansion

- Navigating challenges in the competitive F&B landscape

- The role of innovation, adaptability, and professionalisation in scaling a brand

- Lessons learned from early overseas expansion attempts

- The importance of choosing the right business partners

- Tealive’s future growth strategies in Southeast Asia and beyond

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or an established business leader, this episode offers valuable insights into building and scaling a successful F&B brand in a dynamic market.

Tune in to hear how an "accidental entrepreneur" became an F&B titan.