Swensen’s to expand in Cambodia, Laos following new ten-year agreement

New store formats are expected as a result of the collaboration between Minor Food International and Express Food Group.

Minor Food International (MINT) and Express Food Group (EFG) have signed a new ten-year agreement granting the latter exclusive territory rights for developing Swensen's stores in Cambodia and Laos.

The collaboration includes an integrated store format in Kampuchea Krom that features Cambodia’s The Pizza Company and a Swensen's ice cream parlor that opened on March 8. EFG claims this is the world’s first integrated format Swensen's unveiled and intends to open similar concepts this year in Chbar Ampov and Battambang.

The company said it will also be bringing to Cambodia other Swensen’s formats including a new premium ice cream concept for Aeon Mean Chey Mall and a new modern cafe with “pink and pastel colours to be unveiled soon.”

It also expects to more than double the number of Swensen's Cambodia stores over the next few years and has committed to upgrade and refurbish existing stores to “ensure the very latest look and feel for this much-loved ice cream brand.”

In another announcement dated March 9, EFG said it is also opening a Swensen’s, Pizza Company and Krispy Kreme in Phnom Penh’s PH Eco Mall in July as a result of a partnership with Peng Huoth Investment.

The group currently operates more than 10 Swensen's restaurants in Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar.

Headquartered in Bangkok, EFG employs over 1,300 people and is also a franchisee of International Dairy Queen, Krispy Kreme and Texas Chicken.

(Also read: How EFG is rethinking its brand portfolio to turbocharge post-COVID growth)