HVA Group, through its subsidiary, HVA Foods PLC is gearing to launch franchise cafes in three countries next year, after they launch the first of its kind – Heladiv Tea Club cafe – in Colombo on Tuesday, officials said.
“Heladiv is an international tea brand and by 2012 we intend to expand our Heladiv Tea Club cafe franchise to at least three countries,” Rohan Fernando, Chairman HVA told the Business Times. He said that the company is targeting India (Bangalore), Australia (either Sydney or Melbourne) and Italy as the locations mid next year.
On Tuesday the first Heladiv Tea Club which will feature a tea salon, a dessert bar and a boutique will be commissioned in its premises at the newly built shopping complex at the former Dutch Hospital in Fort.
“The first year growth will be slow in these cafes as we’ll be fine-tuning the franchising,” Mr. Fernando added, noting that to set up each unit of these cafes costs between US$ 100,000 to US$ 200,000. He added that the return on investment in the cafes will take some two years.