Leveraging Dusit’s 75 years of global hospitality experience and recent strategic investments in food manufacturing and distribution platforms, Dusit’s food business subsidiary, Dusit Foods, has introduced Dusit Gastro to provide a one-stop solution for hotels, restaurants, and catering companies seeking high-quality, sustainable food products in Thailand and beyond. New product lines and services will be showcased at the THAIFEX-HOREC Asia trade show in Bangkok on 6 – 8 March 2024
Dusit Thani Public Company Limited (DUSIT), a prominent player in Thailand’s hospitality and real estate sectors, is gearing up for a substantial expansion in its food division, aiming for a targeted revenue of THB 2,500 million by 2027.
This ambitious objective is driven by the impressive performance of its food business arm, Dusit Foods, of which DUSIT holds a 75% stake, and the strategic advancement of Dusit Gastro, a newly established sourcing and distribution center catering to Dusit Hotels and Resorts in Thailand as well as affiliated companies and clients in the hospitality industry.
Founded in 2018 with a vision to invest in food ventures emphasizing natural, organic, and health-conscious processes while also supporting local communities, Dusit Foods has made significant investments in food enterprises aligned with DUSIT’s core hotel operations, showcasing substantial growth potential and covering the entire supply chain.
Currently, Dusit Foods boasts a 70% share in Epicure Catering, a leading provider of catering services to international schools in Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia; a 55% ownership in Bonjour Bakery Asia Co., Ltd., operating a cutting-edge baking facility producing French-style pastry products and associated franchise ventures; and a 51% stake in Savor Eats, a central kitchen and cloud dispensing network business.
In August 2022, Dusit forged an alliance with PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Company Limited (OR) through Modulus Venture, an OR subsidiary, wherein OR acquired a 25% stake in Dusit Foods. This strategic partnership leverages OR’s robust retail platform, encompassing Café Amazon and the Ohkajhu health food brand, to distribute various food products nationwide.
“Dusit Foods is a pivotal asset for our company,” remarked Ms. Suphajee Suthumpun, Group CEO of DUSIT. “This division significantly contributes to our diversification, accounting for nearly 20% of our revenue in the first nine months of 2023, exceeding our initial target of 10%. Through strategic investments in Epicure, Bonjour, and Savor Eats, we’re propelling our expansion in catering, bakery, and food technology. Combined with the launch of Dusit Gastro, we position Dusit Foods as a primary growth driver for DUSIT. With this in mind, we aim for 15-18% annual growth from our food business, targeting THB 2,500 million in revenue by 2027.”
Ms. Manisa Mitpaibul, Managing Director of Dusit Foods, added, “In the first nine months of 2023 alone, Dusit Foods generated 878 million baht, representing 19.5% of DUSIT’s total income of 4,512 million baht. Both Epicure and Bonjour played pivotal roles in this success and are poised to expand their footprint further, with Epicure diversifying its catering services beyond international schools and eyeing strategic expansions in the Middle East and beyond, while Bonjour targets markets in China, the Philippines, and Vietnam.”
In addition to global expansion and strategic partnerships, Dusit Foods is focused on promoting Dusit Gastro in 2024, a wholly owned venture specializing in sourcing premium ingredients, such as organic rice from small-scale farms in northeastern Thailand, and offering high-quality products, including ready-to-cook curry pastes, par-baked pastries, and innovative frozen items.
“Aligned with our vision to introduce Asian cuisine to global audiences, Dusit Gastro addresses the real challenges confronting food businesses today. From escalating costs and ingredient inconsistencies to labor shortages and evolving consumer preferences, we provide innovative solutions through premium products and seamless integration within the Dusit Foods ecosystem,” explained Ms. Mitpaibul. “Already trusted by a diverse clientele, including restaurants, hotels, and gas stations across Thailand, we are rapidly expanding. With exciting new product launches and growing international interest, we are well positioned to revolutionize the global hospitality scene. At Dusit Gastro, we are committed to continually shaping the future of food.”
Dusit Foods’ diverse range of products and services, including offerings under Dusit Gastro, will be showcased at THAIFEX-HOREC Asia (Hall 10 – K14) from March 6-8, 2024, at the IMPACT Exhibition Center, Muang Thong Thani. The event promises a comprehensive display of Southeast Asia’s most innovative and revenue-generating products and services across nine HoReCa segments: Bakery and Ice Cream, Café and Bar, Cleaning and Laundry, Dining, Furnishing, Kitchen, Services, Tech, and Wellness.
