SHAH ALAM, Sat.:

Cosmo Restaurants Sdn Bhd, the franchisee of Burger King restaurant in Malaysia, plans to double the fast-food restaurant outlets in the next five years, said Cosmo Restaurant’s chairman, Datuk Abdul Ghani Yusof.

He said the company plans to invest RM1 million for each new outlet.

“We are looking to open an average of eight and 10 new outlets per year,” Abdul Ghani told reporters after the launch of its new outlet here today.

Currently, Cosmo Restaurants owns 21 Burger King outlets nationwide including the Shah Alam outlet.

He said Shah Alam’s population of approximately 600,000 would be offered the option of a dine-in or drive-through experience in this restaurant.
“Shah Alam itself can easily accommodate another three or four outlets (in the next five years,” he said, adding that the company will open its first outlet in Klang by year-end or early 2009.

Abdul Ghani said the company has achieved a 14 per cent growth between January and August this year and expects to maintain it until year-end.

“Our market share is small and now we are on an aggressive expansion path,” he said.

New Straits Times

One of CellAct’s skincare range is the Blues Away range, which is an anti-stress and hydration formula.

MEENA SREENIVASAN learns about a prototype business system tailored especially for beauty salons.

Lim holding the CellAct Age Renewal serum used in certified CellAct beauty salons.

IF you are interested in a beauty career or aspire to start your own beauty salon, the time has come for you to step up.

CellAct, a well-known Swiss skincare brand used by beauty salons nationwide over the past 10 years, is offering women entrepreneurs and beauty enthusiasts an opportunity to set up their own salon through a prototype business system.

The CellAct business system is convenient, practical and will provide potential salon owners everything they need to operate the business successfully.

Based on an innovative infrastructure, CellAct certified beauty salons will be set up with comprehensive support systems to manage customers, employees and the outlet with ease.
CellAct (M) Sdn Bhd group managing director Jessica Lim disclosed that through years of experience, it found most aestheticians and salon owners are unable to run a salon efficiently without a proper system in hand.

“In order to penetrate the targeted market, they need the right set-up, philosophy and expertise,” she explained, adding that it took the company almost three years to develop a successful, time-tested and franchise-compliant business model.

Lim further added that the business system, which is simple yet rewarding, is available for qualified individuals interested in opening even a chain of beauty salons.

It will include a state-of-the-art CellAct salon management system, preliminary sales and field assistance, renovation and furnishing, operational guidance, visual merchandising and window display, comprehensive training, marketing and advertising, new product development, purchase inventory and equipment, among other services.

“Given the comprehensive support system, CellAct partners will be able to save on capital expenditure required to operate an outlet, besides allowing their business to grow faster using the resources and management support from CellAct Malaysia.”

A capital of between RM180,000 and RM600,000 is required for a start and this will include renovation costs.

As CellAct partners, aspiring individuals who wish to venture into the beauty industry will receive professional business coaching in salon management, customer services and marketing programmes.

“Our ultimate beauty centres are designed to promote beautiful and healthy skin and will offer beauty and spa lovers an exclusive pampering ambience and experience as well as quality skincare products and beauty treatments,” said Lim.

CellAct products are carefully developed based on a blend of plant cells extracts, DNA, pure enzymes, and proteins and uses only pure glacial water in the formulation.

“This is what makes CellAct special and why our products are tagged as ‘The Answer to Beautiful Skin,” said Lim.

The company is set to open 30 more CellAct beauty centres within the next 12 months. For more information, visit www.cellact-swiss.com.

New Straits Times

IPOH: Honda owners can now service their cars at the newly opened Tian Siang Auto Care showroom-cum-service centre in Jalan Kuala Kangsar and watch their favourite movies at the same time.

Tian Siang Auto Care managing director Mak Kam Hong said the outlet was the only 3S (sales, service and spare parts) centre in the country equipped with a state-of-the-art entertainment room.

“Customers waiting for more than an hour can choose a DVD from the counter and watch a movie on the plasma TV,” he said after the launch here yesterday.

He said customers could also relax in one of the two lounges and enjoy complimentary beverages.

The 3S centre was opened by state Education, Local Government, Housing and Public Transport Committee chairman, Nga Kor Ming.
Present were Honda Malaysia managing director Atsushi Fujimoto and chief executive officer Azman Idris.

The lounges are equipped with wireless Internet access and a computer for customers who wish to surf the Net.

The centre, said to be the largest Honda sales, service and spare parts centre in the northern region, cost RM7 million. It has 13 service bays and can accommodate up to 60 cars daily.

New Straits Times