Partner’s Perspective: Legacy Brands - Expand or Preserve?

A couple of months ago, I visited Ho Kow Hainan Kopitiam （何九海南茶室）, a long-time client of Syarikat Ong and a beloved institution in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown since 1956. From a humble back-alley stall to a thriving café, it has stood the test of time, drawing both loyal patrons and new generations of food lovers. But behind the bustling crowds lies a reality many legacy businesses face — how do you grow without losing what makes you special?

In the F&B industry, customer satisfaction is deeply tied to the five senses. We don’t just eat, we experience. The taste, the smell, the sounds of a bustling kopitiam, the nostalgic setting —it’s all part of what makes a place memorable. Sometimes, people return to a shop not just for the food, but to revisit the flavours of their childhood.

Scaling Legacy: The Trade-Offs

Some brands, like Oriental Kopi, choose expansion — replicating taste, experience, and branding across multiple outlets, backed by capital, central kitchens, and streamlined operations. This ensures consistency, scalability, and accessibility to more customers.

Others, like Ho Kow, focus on a singular location — for now — where authenticity, history, and an irreplaceable experience become their unique selling point. They grow by deepening their roots rather than widening their reach. But the temptation to expand is always there, and many businesses struggle with when, or whether to take that leap.

Which Path is Right?

There is no right or wrong model for sustainability in F&B. Both approaches work, if executed well.

· Expansion makes a brand widely available, but the challenge is maintaining authenticity when processes become centralised.

· Preserving exclusivity retains the charm and cultural depth of a place, but growth remains limited.

At the end of the day, legacy isn’t just about history. It’s about what you choose to preserve — and what you’re willing to trade for growth.

#LegacyVsExpansion #HeritageBusiness #BusinessStrategy #HoKowHainanKopitiam