EXTRAORDINAIRE BRAND LEGEND
Dato Calvin Chan, Managing Director of Oriental Coffee International Sdn Bhd
Promoting Authentic Malaysian Dining At Its Best
Dato’ Calvin Chan of Oriental Coffee International Sdn Bhd shows what it takes to be an Extraordinaire Brand Legend – Building from Ground Zero to Becoming A Brand Hero
By Yvonne Yoong
Quote: “My restaurant can provide not only the food but also the environment for the whole family to gather. Even the old people can trace their memories back to the environment when they were once young.” – Dato’ Calvin Chan, Managing Director of Oriental Coffee International Sdn Bhd
“The way to a man’s heart is through the stomach”, they say. But for Dato’ Calvin Chan Jian Chern, Managing Director of Oriental Coffee International Sdn Bhd, nothing warms his heart more than seeing entire families bonding over food at his kopitiam chain of restaurants.
Recalling how he witnessed a grandmother studying the menu while hesitating to order, with her daughter telling her not to worry and to “think back to a time when she was a young girl of what she liked to eat and order it” which made smile sweetly. This warmed his heart. “My restaurant can provide not only the food but also the environment for the whole family to gather. Even the old people can trace their memories back to the environment when they were once young,” he shared.
The most rewarding part for him is especially during the weekends when the whole family comes to dine in his restaurant. “It is so touching when you see the family bringing their old folks in a wheelchair or when you see them smiling,” he enthused.
When the restaurant first opened, he had no qualms serving as a waiter for almost a year. This way, no one is more acquainted with every single detail of the restaurant better than him. Impatient to start this business, he was totally hands-on, and so his staff are willing to be in the business together with him.
Just 42, grounded and easy-going but blessed with The Midas Touch, his secret to success he says, is staying true to his roots while “continuously revolving”. Attributing the success of Oriental Kopi to doing things “from the bottom of his heart”, his natural charm and humility despite the group surpassing revenues other kopitiam chains in the country can only dream of, with last year’s recorded revenue at RM133 mil and profits of RM20 mil, is impressive indeed.
“We’ve been able to maintain the integrity of our brand by ensuring that every dish reflects the flavours and warmth of Malaysian cuisine while innovating to meet modern consumers’ expectations. A strong team and a focus on quality have been essential in helping us thrive.”
The winner of the inaugural Extraordinaire Brand Legend Awards expressed surprise, as he said he thought he was still in “running stage” as Oriental Coffee opened just three years ago.
“Receiving this recognition is truly an honor and a testament to the hard work of our entire team over the years. While it was a pleasant surprise, it also feels like a recognition of the dedication we’ve put into maintaining our quality, consistency, and customer-first approach. This accolade reflects our ongoing legacy of blending tradition with innovation, making Oriental Kopi a household name,” he enthused.
Relating how he worked as a mobile phone distributor since the age of 18, he always had the instinct that he wanted to start a food chain. This impulse grew stronger as he found himself craving for Malaysian food whenever he travelled abroad to China and Hong Kong for work, realising that it was not so easy to find Malaysian restaurants in other countries.
“I was always craving Malaysian food. Before leaving Malaysia, I had to have local food. And, I must have Malaysian food and whenever I returned from overseas. Therefore, I decided to open the restaurant to serve more Malaysians and my friends.”
Another reason was because whenever he went overseas, his friends overseas would take him to their restaurants which served their authentic food there. “When they came to Malaysia, they also asked me to bring them to have authentic Malaysian food. Since I wasn’t sure and didn’t know which restaurant I could bring them to, that’s when I decided to open Oriental Kopi,” he shared of the decision to open the outlet during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Expressing surprise at receiving the Extraordinaire Brand Legend Awards title as he doesn’t consider himself “a success yet” but rather being “still in the running stage”, he said he is “trying to get more experience and also learning from other people who are well- experienced”. To him, the charm of Oriental Kopi lies in it being a Malaysian café chain dedicated to providing a modern twist on traditional Malaysian dishes and coffee.
“We offer a range of local delicacies like kaya butter toast, Hainanese Chicken Rice and our signature Oriental White Coffee. Our ‘USP’ lies in creating an authentic yet contemporary dining experience that brings comfort food into the modern day.”
Receiving the Brand Legend Award he said is truly an honour and a testament to the hard work of the entire team over the years. “While it was a pleasant surprise, it also feels like a recognition of the dedication we’ve put into maintaining our quality, consistency and customer-first approach. The awards reflect our ongoing legacy of blending tradition with innovation, making Oriental Coffee a household name,” he said.
He disclosed that Oriental Coffee will be expanding to Singapore, having signed a JV with the Chua family of Paradise Group Singapore – owner of over 10 restaurant brands – to set up outlets there. Paradise Group has more than 10 restaurant brands which includes Paradise Dynasty, Le Shrimp Ramen (newly opened in KL), Para Thai etc.
It was reported that Oriental Kopi plans to issue over R400 mil ordinary shares to raise funds for expansion even while setting up four retail specialty stores to sell their merchandise with one retail shop in Johor already operating. Furthermore, the irrepressible entrepreneur has further plans to expand overseas and double the current 14 outlets.
For now, he is content to continue on his mission to “bring people together through the rich culinary heritage of Malaysia, offering traditional dishes with a modern twist” in order to provide “a memorable dining experience that combines authenticity, quality, and innovation”.
Dispensing advice to those keen on building a lasting business, staying focused on core values while never compromising on quality he stressed, are essential traits.
“Building a lasting business requires resilience, adaptability and a genuine connection with your customers. Understand their needs, and be ready to innovate while staying true to your brand identity,” he summed.
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Pics & video courtesy of BAM
The “Brand Legend Awards” pay homage to the pioneers, innovators, and pillars of our local economy. These businesses are more than just enterprises; they are institutions that have shaped industries, fostered job creation, supported local communities, and inspired generations of entrepreneurs.The theme of these awards, “Larger Than Life,” perfectly encapsulates the enduring legacy of these legendary brands. They have transcended the boundaries of mere entities, becoming institutions that have played pivotal roles in shaping our city and region.
Through their unwavering commitment to excellence, resilience in the face of challenges, and ability to adapt to ever-changing market landscapes, these businesses have cemented their place in our collective consciousness. They are the giants upon whose shoulders our local economy stands tall, and their contributions have been instrumental in weaving the vibrant tapestry of our city and region