Tawandang expands abroad

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Tawandang brew pub expands overseas 
Bangkok Post: 10 Sep 2009
www.BangkokPost.com

Tawandang expands abroad

After a decade of winning over diners in Bangkok, Tawandang Brew House's signature dish of deep-fried pork knuckles with spicy sauce is now also being served in Singapore.

Founder Supote Teerawatanachai is also looking at Shanghai, Guangzhou, Vietnam, Taipei and Hong Kong.

The move was inspired by the many Singaporeans who paid a quick visit to the brewhouse and picked the dish, said the microbrewery's co-founder Supote Teerawatanachai.

On visits to Singapore he was also amazed by the many hardcore fans who asked him whether he was interested in opening his brewery there, he said.

He has now opened the first Tawandang Brew House in Singapore, which debuted in June this year at a cost of 100 million baht. A second branch is set to open next month.

Tawandang is the first Thai brewery chain in Singapore, where market players include Red Dot, Brewerkz and Paulaner.

"One day while I was decorating the brewhouse over there, five Singaporeans, three of them members of Tawandang in Bangkok, asked me whether it was the same one as in Bangkok. They said they were delighted about the opening," said Mr Supote.

The first Tawandang Microbrewery Singapore is on Dempsey Road. Only a quarter of the size of the original on Rama III Road, it covers 750 square metres, has 350-400 seats and offers modern Thai food as well as deep-fried pork knuckles and grilled sea bass.

The prices are about twice those in Thailand. A litre of beer is 600 baht, compared with 250 baht in Bangkok, and spending per head in Singapore is also double at about US$40.

Tawandang Singapore Pte has been set up with registered capital of about 100 million baht.

"Within a few months of the launch, we got a better-than-expected response from local people. We are the only brewhouse that has a German brewmaster, along with friendly service offered partly by trained Thai staff, entertainment and 60 menu items," said Mr Supote.

For the new outlet, the company has taken on 50 staff, of whom 30 are Thai. The company expects to break even in three or four years, he said.

The second Tawandang Microbrewery will be on East Coast between Changi Airport and Singapore's downtown. The company did not reveal its investment for the outlet, which will have 200-250 seats, but said it would be less than 100 million baht.

The company is also planning new outlets in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Vietnam, Taipei and Hong Kong.

In Thailand, the company plans to spend 5-10 million baht to renovate its brewhouse on Rama III Road, with a schedule of completing by the end of this year.

Tawandang expects its sales this year to stay about 350 million baht for its two outlets on Rama III and Rarm Intra Road. The recession has thinned the number of customers but spending per bill is up by 10%, said Mr Supote.