MIlkyway Express to open 1,000 outlets

Chennai, Aug 8 (UNI) Eyeing a sales turnover of Rs 10 to 15 crore in the next two years, Ice cream major 'Milkyway Express' will be opening 1,000 exclusive centres across the country and is also planning to foray its business in South-East Asian countries.

Announcing the expansion plans of the company at a press conference here, its Proprietors Varun Goyal and Bhushan Goyal said the aim of the new outlets were to reach out to a more customers with its unique product portfolio, that included hard and softy ice creams and the mouth-watering milkshakes.

At present the company had about 200 counters in select cities and would be increasing it to 1,000 by 2009 in Southern and Central India and also in other cities of the country to touch a turnover of Rs 10 to 15 crore from the present Rs 1.5 crore.

''We are planning to foray into South-East Asian countries and by March next franchise counters would be set up in Mauritius, Malaysia and Gulf countries. We are in the process of negotiations and the talks should take concrete shape in the coming months,'' they added.

Milkway would also have its outlets in select Railway Stations and talks were on in this regard.

Apart from retail stores, Milkyway would also be present at various corporate and college campuses, food courts and in shopping malls, thanks to the expanding retail market and the increase in the purchase power of the people.

Mr Varun said the company was also looking at a new plant, involving an investment of Rs one to two crore, to ramp up the production capacity from 700 to 800 litres per day to 300 litres per hour. Ramping up the production was essential in the context of company's plan to open 1,000 counters.

UNI