Latest news with #Ahmad'sFriedChicken
Sinar Daily
12-07-2025
- Business
- Sinar Daily
Ahmad's Fried Chicken wants to give choices in local fast food market
Lailatul Sarahjana Mohd Ismail and her husband Mohd Taufik Khairuddin, both 34, had noticed a sudden interest surge in locally-produced products. 12 Jul 2025 05:00pm Founder of Ahmad's Fried Chicken, Mohd Taufik Khairuddin (left), with his wife, who is also the Co-Founder, Lailatul Sarahjana Mohd Ismail. - Bernama photo KUALA LUMPUR - When their online bakery business declined during the Covid-19 pandemic, a couple decided to pivot into the "fried chicken' business. Lailatul Sarahjana Mohd Ismail and her husband Mohd Taufik Khairuddin, both 34, had noticed a sudden interest surge in locally-produced products. Ahmad's Fried Chicken operates on a licensing model, with branch opening costs ranging from RM700,000 to RM1 million, depending on size and location. - Photo source: Ahmad Fried Chicken/FB The duo researched its market potential and identified a growing demand for more homegrown fare. "I did some product research and development for three months, while Taufik focused on market research and branding. We started with one stall at Mydin Senawang. We had very good response and decided to open a fast-food restaurant. "That's how Ahmad's Fried Chicken came to be. It was in line with our aspiration to create a Malaysian product we can be proud of. We named it after my husband's nickname, given by his father, which also reflects a local identity,' she told Bernama recently. Lailatul Sarahjana, who worked in the banking sector previously, said the transition to the fast-food industry was not easy, but past experience helped significantly in terms of management and automation. To ensure consistent flavour, the couple sought advice from food and beverage (F&B) industry experts and conducted various studies before finalising their fried chicken recipe. Ahmad's Fried Chicken is competitively priced against international brands. "The recipe and flour mix were developed in-house to maintain quality control. The international brands are our main challenge. They have the advantage in terms of supply chains and contract farming,' said Lailatul Sarahjana, who is from Teluk Intan, Perak. She said Ahmad's Fried Chicken operates on a licensing model, with branch opening costs ranging from RM700,000 to RM1 million, depending on size and location. So far, 38 outlets have been established nationwide, including restaurants and mini-restaurants, with a target of 66 outlets by the end of 2025. "We are opening outlets cautiously with a focus on urban areas first because all raw materials, including chicken, must be supplied from our headquarters in Puchong,' she said. Lailatul Sarahjana added that they are actively seeking strategic partners among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to accelerate branch expansion. "We need 10 more SME partners to meet our target for this year. So far, more than 1,000 applications have been received and are currently being evaluated,' she said. On the boycott of international brands, Lailatul Sarahjana said establishing Ahmad's Fried Chicken was not reactionary. Their am was to have a local alternative that could compete in terms of quality. "We are not competing aggressively, but we want to offer choices in terms of taste, portion size, and meals that are tailored to local preferences. The boycott issue might have attracted attention, but in the end, it is the quality that determines success,' she said. On whether Ahmad's Fried Chicken plans to become a franchisor, she said the brand has not reached the required three-year mark. "We are in discussions with Perbadanan Nasional Bhd for guidance currently to set up a franchise. Our goal is to enter international markets such as Saudi Arabia and the United States,' she said. - BERNAMA More Like This
Barnama
07-07-2025
- Business
- Barnama
Ahmad's Fried Chicken Wants To Give Choices In Local Fast Food Market
REGION - CENTRAL > NEWS By Ahmad Idzwan Arzmi KUALA LUMPUR, July 7 (Bernama) -- When their online bakery business declined during the COVID-19 pandemic, a couple decided to pivot into the 'fried chicken' business. Lailatul Sarahjana Mohd Ismail and her husband Mohd Taufik Khairuddin, both 34, had noticed a sudden interest surge in locally-produced products. bootstrap slideshow The duo researched its market potential and identified a growing demand for more homegrown fare. 'I did some product research and development for three months, while Taufik focused on market research and branding. We started with one stall at Mydin Senawang. We had very good response and decided to open a fast-food restaurant. 'That's how Ahmad's Fried Chicken came to be. It was in line with our aspiration to create a Malaysian product we can be proud of. We named it after my husband's nickname, given by his father, which also reflects a local identity,' she told Bernama recently. Lailatul Sarahjana, who worked in the banking sector previously, said the transition to the fast-food industry was not easy, but past experience helped significantly in terms of management and automation. To ensure consistent flavour, the couple sought advice from food and beverage (F&B) industry experts and conducted various studies before finalising their fried chicken recipe. Ahmad's Fried Chicken is competitively priced against international brands. 'The recipe and flour mix were developed in-house to maintain quality control. The international brands are our main challenge. They have the advantage in terms of supply chains and contract farming,' said Lailatul Sarahjana, who is from Teluk Intan, Perak.
New Straits Times
04-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Ahmad's Fried Chicken aims to open 66 new outlets
KUALA LUMPUR: Fast-rising local fried chicken brand Ahmad's Fried Chicken (Ahmad's) is setting its sights on aggressive expansion with plans to open 66 new outlets nationwide throughout 2025. According to Ahmad's co-founder Lailatul Sarahjana Mohd Ismail, the company had launched 30 outlets in the first half of the year. This includes four full-fledged restaurants, five mini restaurants, and 21 kiosks across states such as Selangor, Perak, Penang, Kedah, Negri Sembilan and Terengganu. She said the brand has gained strong traction among fried chicken lovers, offering a nostalgic lineup of 24 heritage-inspired Malaysian dishes, including their signature crispy fried chicken, burgers and various side offerings. "In the next six months, we plan to open 36 more outlets across Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Melaka, Johor, Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan as well as Sabah and Sarawak," she said at the launch of the brand's 30th outlet in Setiawangsa recently. Lailatul added that Ahmad's is also offering business partnership opportunities for local entrepreneurs through a franchise-style collaboration model, as part of its broader expansion strategy. "We're confident that this initiative will empower more local entrepreneurs to own and operate outlets under a beloved homegrown fried chicken brand, while fast-tracking our mission to bring nostalgic, heritage recipes to more Malaysians nationwide," she said. Ahmad's, operated under Mad Bean Holdings Sdn Bhd, is also preparing to venture into international markets, with proposed outlets in Mecca, Brunei, Turkey and the United States. "We are currently in the midst of exploring international expansion, and we aim to roll out our first overseas outlets next year," she revealed. "Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia have been identified as high-potential markets, and will likely be our initial points of entry," she added. Lailatul noted that the company's domestic and international expansion plans are aligned with its commitment to contribute to the development of Malaysia's F&B ecosystem, while creating more job opportunities in the growing halal food and beverage sector.
