Thursday, March 08, 2007 Asian restaurant to branch out
A LOCAL restaurateur specializing in authentic Thai food is contemplating on opening another Asian cuisine restaurant this year.
“It will be under a new brand,” said Krua Thai Inc. restaurant managing proprietor Anthony Ballreich, adding that because the Krua Thai brand has already established its presence nationwide, he believes it is time to put up a new brand.
Ballreich said he has not yet given a name for the new restaurant but hinted it will either be another high-end Thai restaurant or another Asian cuisine restaurant.
“We (have) already chosen a venue but it will be a surprise,” he said.
Meanwhile, for Krua Thai restaurant, Ballreich said the brand is soon to go international as plans to expand outlets in Japan, Guam and in the United States are already in the pipeline.
The Krua Thai restaurant in Japan is set to open this year, he said.
For its branches in Guam and in South Francisco, California, Ballreich said that while a location has been found, “we won’t be opening it simultaneously.”
While Ballreich previously evaluated franchising intentions for its Krua Thai outlets, he said he has decided otherwise.
This despite receiving a lot of inquiries from potential franchisees who wants to set up more Krua Thai restaurants in Manila. “We want to have our own. We’ve proved we can manage,” Ballreich said.
“But for Krua Thai branches in Guam and in the US, I will be partnering with a relative,” he told reporters during the launching of the restaurant’s full-meal vegetarian menu last Saturday at the Krua Thai outlet in Banilad Town Center.
“These dishes are ideal for the Lenten season,” Ballreich said, adding that the vegetarian menu will be extended for a full year.
The vegetarian menu utilizes health staples like tofu, coconut milk, curry varieties, cashew nuts, chili, beans sprouts, and soy beans, among others.
“Healthy eating is now a lifestyle and Krua Thai is in the forefront of meeting the new demand,” Ballreich said.
Krua Thai, which is the first Thai restaurant to open in Cebu in 2001, now has eight branches nationwide to include Cebu, Bacolod, Iloilo, Davao, and Manila.
Its branches in Cebu are found in Banilad Town Center, SM City Cebu and Mactan Marina Mall in Lapu-Lapu City. (MMM)
