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{{short description|Hong Kong fast food company}}
{{Infobox_Company |
{{EngvarB|date=July 2014}}
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company_name = Café de Coral Holdings, Ltd. |
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}}
company_logo = [[Image:Cafedecarol logo.gif|210px]] |
{{Infobox company
slogan = “All Happy Together" |
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| name = Café de Coral Holdings, Ltd.
company_type = Publicly Traded {{sehk|0341}}|
| logo = Café de Coral.svg
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foundation = [[Causeway Bay]], [[Hong Kong]] (1968) |
| image = HK CafedeCoralCentre.JPG
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location = [[Shatin]], [[Hong Kong]] |
| image_caption = Headquarters in [[Fo Tan]]
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key_people = Michael Chan, Chairman|
| type = [[Public company|Public]]
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num_employees = 12,000+ (July 2006) |
| traded_as = {{Sehk|341}}
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industry = [[Foodservice]] |
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| foundation = {{Start date and age|1968}} in [[Causeway Bay]], [[Hong Kong]]
products = [[Fast food]], [[Casual_dining|Casual Dining]] |
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| location = [[Fo Tan]], Hong Kong
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revenue = [[HKD]] 3.89 billion (2007)|
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| key_people = Sunny Lo (Chairman)
homepage = [http://www.cafedecoral.com/ http://www.cafedecoral.com/]
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| num_employees = 19,000+ (2018)
| subsid =
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| industry = [[Food service]]
| products = {{Unbulleted list
| [[Fast food]]
| [[Casual dining]]
}}
}}
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| revenue = [[Hong Kong dollar|HK$]]4.19 billion (2018)
| homepage = {{URL|https://www.cafedecoral.com/eng/main/index.jsp}}<br />{{URL|cafedecoralfastfood.com}}
}}
{{Chinese|title=Café de Coral Holdings Limited|t=大家樂集團有限公司|s=大家乐集团有限公司|j=daai6 gaa1 lok6 zaap6 tyun4 jau5 haan6 gung1 si1|p=Dàjiālè Jítuán Yǒuxiàngōngsī}}
'''Café de Coral Holdings, Ltd.''' ({{zh|t=大家樂集團有限公司|s=|c=|cy=Daaihgālohk Jaahptyùhn Yáuhhaahn Gūngsī}}) is a Hong Kong fast-food restaurant group that owns and operates fast-food chains and restaurants, including Café de Coral, Super Super, The Spaghetti House, Oliver's Super Sandwiches, Ah Yee Leng Tong, and others.


'''Café de Coral''' ({{zh-tp|t=大家樂|p=dà jiā lè}}) {{sehk|0341}} is a fast food restaurant group which owns and operates fast food chains and restaurants including [[Café de Coral]], [[The Spaghetti House]], [[Manchu Wok]], [[Oliver's Super Sandwiches]], [[Ah Yee Leng Tong]] and others. Founded in 1967, the Café de Coral group opened its first Café de Coral restaurant in the [[Shatin]] district of [[Hong Kong]] in 1968. Since then, the group has grown to operate over 540 separate outlets across its brands all over the world. Café de Coral group is the largest Chinese Fast Food restaurant group in Hong Kong and in the world. In [[Hong Kong]] alone, the Café de Coral chain alone caters to over 300,000 people on an average day. <ref> [http://www.cafedecoral.com/web/ci/coporate1.htm Café de Coral corporate site]</ref>
Founded in 1968,<ref>{{cite web |title=Overview |url=https://www.cafedecoral.com/eng/about-us/overview/index.jsp |website=Café de Coral |access-date=14 July 2024}}</ref> the Café de Coral group opened its first Café de Coral restaurant in the [[Causeway Bay]] district of Hong Kong in 1969. Since then, the group has grown to operate over 580 separate outlets across its brands all over the world. It is the largest Chinese fast-food restaurant group in Hong Kong and in the world. In Hong Kong alone, it caters to over 300,000 people on a typical day.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cafedecoral.com/web/ci/coporate1.htm |title=Café de Coral corporate site |access-date=12 January 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070114054037/http://www.cafedecoral.com/web/ci/coporate1.htm |archive-date=14 January 2007 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>


== History ==
== History ==


=== The Beginning ===
=== Founding ===
The founders of Café de Coral are Victor Lo Tang-seong (1915-2016), brother of [[Vitasoy]] founder [[Lo Kwee-seong]] and [[Fairwood (restaurant)|Fairwood]] founder Lo Fong-cheung, and his nephew, Lo Kai-muk.<ref>{{cite web | title = Cafe de Coral founder dies at 101 | url=http://www.thestandard.com.hk/section-news.php?id=171258 |publisher=TheStandard.com.hk |access-date=August 21, 2018}}</ref> Victor Lo had the idea of running a restaurant that would feed the working class of Hong Kong at affordable prices.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/1986687/cheap-and-filling-side-controversy-how-cafe-de|title=Cheap and filling, with a side of controversy: how Café de Coral became Hong Kong's largest fast-food chain|last=Ng|first=Naomi|date=2016-07-07|website=South China Morning Post|language=en|access-date=2019-03-31}}</ref> He incorporated Café de Coral in 1968 and started to operate the first location in Causeway Bay in September 1969 at the age of 54.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cafedecoral.com/web/show/show.jsp?ppid=8 |title=Café de Coral History – 1960's |access-date=18 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227162823/http://www.cafedecoral.com/web/show/show.jsp?ppid=8 |archive-date=27 February 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/article/2104962/success-story-made-hong-kong-cafe-de-coral-fast-food-chain-thats-been|title=Homegrown Hong Kong: Cafe de Coral – feeding the working class|last=Cheung|first=Rachel|date=2017-08-02|website=South China Morning Post|language=en|access-date=2019-03-31}}</ref>


The Café de Coral Group was incorporated in 1968, but it would not be until September 1969 when it opened its first Café de Coral restaurant in [[Shatin]]. <ref>[http://www.cafedecoral.com/web/show/show.jsp?ppid=8 Café de Coral History - 1960's]</ref> The chain gradually expanded over the next decade and went on air in 1977 when it promoted its restaurants through TV commercials. In 1979, Café de Coral established its first food processing plant, a move commonly taken to lower costs and ensure consistency. <ref>[http://www.cafedecoral.com/web/show/show.jsp?ppid=7 Café de Coral History 1970's]</ref> In 1986, the Café de Coral Group finally went public, and in 1988, it hit a major milestone by opening up its 50th Café de Coral restaurant. The years after this would be marked by diversification when it went on a buying spree. <ref>[http://www.cafedecoral.com/web/show/show.jsp?ppid=1 Café de Coral History - 1980's]</ref>
The chain gradually expanded over the next decade. In 1977, it started promoting its restaurants through TV commercials. In 1979, it established its first food-processing plant in a move to lower costs and ensure consistency.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cafedecoral.com/web/show/show.jsp?ppid=7 |title=Café de Coral History 1970's |access-date=18 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227162818/http://www.cafedecoral.com/web/show/show.jsp?ppid=7 |archive-date=27 February 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> In 1986, the Café de Coral Group [[Initial public offering|went public]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/economy/article/1986276/founder-cafe-de-coral-hong-kongs-largest-fast-food-restaurant|title=Founder of Café de Coral, Hong Kong's largest fast-food restaurant chain, dies at 101|last=Sun|first=Nikki|date=2016-07-06|website=South China Morning Post|language=en|access-date=2019-03-31}}</ref> In 1988, it opened its 50th Café de Coral restaurant. The years after this were marked by diversification, when it went on a buying spree.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cafedecoral.com/web/show/show.jsp?ppid=1 |title=Café de Coral History – 1980's |access-date=22 March 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041207125718/http://www.cafedecoral.com/web/show/show.jsp?ppid=1 |archive-date=7 December 2004 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>


=== Acquisitions and Expansion ===
=== Acquisitions and expansion ===


In May 1990, Café de Coral made its first acquisition by buying out the [[Ah Yee Leng Tong]] chain for $14 million HKD. <ref name="a90s">[iface.econ.cuhk.edu.hk/games/integration/e_powerpoint.ppt CEO's Plan on Integration of Firms - Lecture Slides]</ref> A year later in 1991, it acquired [[The Spaghetti House]], a popular chain that served HK-style Italian food. The same year, it opened up its second food processing plant. 1992 was another milestone year for Café de Coral when it opened both its 100th restaurant as well as its first restaurant outside [[Hong Kong]] in the nearby city of [[Shenzen]]. <ref name="a90s">[http://www.cafedecoral.com/web/show/show.jsp?ppid=2 Café de Coral History - 1990's]</ref>
In May 1990, Café de Coral made its first acquisition by buying out the [[Ah Yee Leng Tong]] chain for HK$14 million.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20040831082213/http://iface.econ.cuhk.edu.hk/games/integration/e_powerpoint.ppt CEO's Plan on Integration of Firms – Lecture Slides]</ref> A year later, it acquired [[The Spaghetti House]], a popular chain that served HK-style Italian food. The same year, it opened up its second food-processing plant. In 1992, it opened both its 100th restaurant and its first restaurant outside Hong Kong in the nearby city of [[Shenzhen]].<ref name="a90s">[https://web.archive.org/web/20030303164529/http://www.cafedecoral.com/web/show/show.jsp?ppid=2 Café de Coral History – 1990's]</ref>


In 1996, Café de Coral opened up its first Bravo le Café restaurant and that same year, it acquired [[Scanfoods]], a ham processing and food distribution business. In 1998, it started yet another restaurant chain called [[Super Super Congee & Noodle]], serving exactly what the name states. <ref name="a90s"/>
In 1996, Café de Coral opened the first location of its new restaurant brand, Bravo le Café. Also in 1996, it acquired [[Scanfoods]], a ham-processing and food-distribution business. In 1998, it started yet another restaurant chain called [[Super Super Congee & Noodle]].<ref name="a90s"/>


Café de Coral was not finished with its trend of acquisitions, and in 2000, it acquired [[Denny's Bakery]], a bakery manufacturing and distribution business in Hong Kong. That same year, it acquired [[Manchu Wok]], a North American Chinese fast food chain that had a strong presence in Canada and the United States. In the years following, Café de Coral also acquired [[China Inn]] (2002), [[New Asia Dabao]] (2003), and [[Oliver's Super Sandwiches]] (2003). <ref name="a2000">[http://www.cafedecoral.com/web/show/show.jsp?ppid=9 Café de Coral History - 21st century]</ref>
In 2000, continuing its trend of acquisitions, Café de Coral acquired [[Denny's Bakery]], a bakery manufacturing and distribution business in Hong Kong. Also in 2000, it acquired [[Manchu Wok]], a North American Chinese fast-food chain that had a strong presence in Canada and the United States. In the years following, Café de Coral also acquired [[China Inn]] (2002), [[New Asia Dabao]] (2003), and [[Oliver's Super Sandwiches]] (2003).<ref name="a2000">{{Cite web |url=http://www.cafedecoral.com/web/show/show.jsp?ppid=9 |title=Café de Coral History – 21st century |access-date=18 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071101052533/http://www.cafedecoral.com/web/show/show.jsp?ppid=9 |archive-date=1 November 2007 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>


In 2006, Café de Coral began rolling out its "fourth-generation concept" across all of its locations, effectively renovating many restaurants to bring them up to modern standards.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.cafedecoral.com/web/show/show.jsp?pid=3&type1=1&cnid1=2808&rhtID1=3&gf1=1 | title=Café de Coral's Introduction of 4G Design Concept Creates a New Era in Hong Kong's Fast Food Industry | accessdate=14 April 2007 | date=5 February 2006 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070404082645/http://www.cafedecoral.com/web/show/show.jsp?pid=3&type1=1&cnid1=2808&rhtID1=3&gf1=1 | archive-date=4 April 2007 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}</ref>
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=== Present Day ===


In 2006, Café de Coral began rolling out its "fourth generation concept" across all of its locations, effectively renovating many restaurants to bring them up to modern standards. This year, Café de Coral made an investment in the [[Tao Heung Group]], a smaller restaurant group that operates 11 brands all over [[China]] and [[Hong Kong]]. <ref name="a2000"/>
In 2007, Café de Coral made an investment in the [[Tao Heung Group]], a smaller restaurant group that operates 11 brands all over China and Hong Kong.<ref name="a2000"/>


In 2012, Café de Coral started another restaurant chain called MiXian Sense, aiming to become the leader in the Hong Kong ''mixian'' (rice noodle) market.

In 2016, founder Victor Lo Tang-seong died at the age of 101.<ref name=":0" />


== Brands ==
== Brands ==
Line 39: Line 54:
=== Café de Coral ===
=== Café de Coral ===


[[Image:Café de Coral.JPG|right|thumb|200px|A Café de Coral fast food restaurant]]
[[Image:Café de Coral.JPG|right|thumb|A Café de Coral fast food restaurant]]


Café de Coral is a fast-food restaurant chain that serves both Chinese and Western food at a budget price. Established in 1968 in Causeway Bay, Café de Coral operates over 100 locations in the Hong Kong and 24 locations in [[China]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cafedecoral.com/web/sbu/sbu1_2.htm |title=Café de Coral Information Page |access-date=18 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217221824/http://www.cafedecoral.com/web/sbu/sbu1_2.htm |archive-date=17 December 2013 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> As of September 2019, the group had 165 Café de Coral restaurants.<ref name="warns">{{cite news |last1=Choi |first1=Martin |title=Café de Coral warns of 90 per cent profit slump in warning shot to Hong Kong's restaurant industry |url=https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3081737/cafe-de-coral-warns-90-cent-profit-slump-warning-shot-hong-kongs |work=South China Morning Post |date=27 April 2020}}</ref>
{{main|Café de Coral (Restaurant)}}

Café de Coral is a fast food restaurant chain that serves both Chinese and Western food at a budget price. Established in 1968 in [[Shatin]], Café de Coral operates over 100 locations in the [[Hong Kong]] region and 24 locations in [[Mainland China]]. <ref>[http://www.cafedecoral.com/web/sbu/sbu1_2.htm Café de Coral Information Page]</ref>


=== The Spaghetti House ===
=== The Spaghetti House ===


⚫
The Spaghetti House is a specialty restaurant chain that serves Hong Kong-style Italian cuisine and is positioned as a mid-market chain that is family- and tourist-friendly. Established in 1979, The Spaghetti House operates more than 30 locations in Hong Kong, [[Macau]], and Southern China.<ref>[http://www.spaghettihouse.com/html/eng/aboutus/companyprofile.jsp The Spaghetti House – Company Profile]</ref>
{{main|The Spaghetti House}}

⚫
[[The Spaghetti House]] is a specialty restaurant chain that serves Hong Kong-style Italian cuisine and is positioned as a mid-market chain that is family and tourist friendly. Established in 1979, The Spaghetti House operates 25 locations in [[Hong Kong]] <ref>[http://www.spaghettihouse.com/spaghetti/eng/about/company.jsp The Spaghetti House - Company Profile]</ref> and 3 locations in Southern [[China]]. <ref>[http://www.spaghettihouse.com/spaghetti/eng/about/shen.jsp The Spaghetti House - Branch Information]</ref>


=== Ah Yee Leng Tong ===
=== Ah Yee Leng Tong ===


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Ah Yee Leng Tong is a specialty restaurant chain that serves home-style Chinese soup and a variety of Cantonese dishes. It is also known for its [[XO sauce]]. Its restaurants, which average 250 m<sup>2</sup>, fuse both traditional and modern furnishings and appeal to both locals and tourists. As of 2007, the only location is at [[Hong Kong International Airport]].<ref>[http://www.ahyeelengtong.com/main.html Ah Yee Leng Tong – Locations] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013045110/http://www.ahyeelengtong.com/main.html |date=13 October 2007 }}</ref>
{{main|Ah Yee Leng Tong}}


=== Bravo le Café ===
⚫
[[Ah Yee Leng Tong]] is a specialty restaurant chain that serves homestyle Chinese soup as well as a variety of Chinese dishes. It is also known for its [[XO sauce]]. Its restaurants, which average 250 square meters, fuse both both traditional and modern furnishings and appeal to both locals and tourists. As of 2007, there is only one location at the [[Hong Kong International Airport]]. <ref>[http://www.ahyeelengtong.com/main.html Ah Yee Leng Tong - Locations]</ref>

Bravo le Café is a quick-service restaurant chain that offers a mix of Western, Chinese, and Japanese food in a bistro setting designed to appeal to "young and upwardly mobile executives."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.cafedecoral.com/web/sbu/sbu3_4.htm |title=Bravo le Cafe – Information Page |access-date=18 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070807172001/http://www.cafedecoral.com/web/sbu/sbu3_4.htm |archive-date=7 August 2007 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Currently, the three locations of Bravo le Café are in Hong Kong: the [[International Finance Centre (Hong Kong)|International Finance Centre]], [[Central, Hong Kong|Central]], and Hong Kong International Airport.

=== Super Super Congee & Noodles ===

Super Super Congee & Noodles is a fast-food chain serving [[congee]] and various noodle dishes. As of March 2006, 50 locations were in Hong Kong, including two in [[Tsing Yi]] and one in [[Wong Tai Sin, Hong Kong|Wong Tai Sin]].

⚫
=== MiXian Sense ===
MiXian Sense is a specialty restaurant chain that serves its own special Sichuan spiced tomato soup rice noodles, with other choices of sweet tomato soup rice noodles and the classic pork bone broth soups and Sichuan spice soup rice noodles. First established in Ching Yi in 2012, it has now expanded all over Hong Kong in 16 locations<!-- and is planning to increase in branches across the city -->.

=== Oliver's Super Sandwich ===
Oliver's Super Sandwich was introduced to Hong Kong in 1987 and was rebranded in 2012 by Cafe de Coral. This brand mainly serves freshly made sandwiches, light pasta, and steamed potatoes topped with mixes of eggs and salmon.

===Other brands===
Other brands include Little Onion, The Cup, 360 Series, ZAKKA, Shanghai Lao Lao, and Dong Dong Tei.

<gallery mode="slideshow">
File:Uptown Plaza Cafe de Coral 201012.jpg|link=https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Uptown_Plaza_Cafe_de_Coral_201012.jpg|Entrance of the store in [[Uptown Plaza]]
File:New Town Plaza Cafe de Coral interior 201108.jpg|link=https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:New_Town_Plaza_Cafe_de_Coral_interior_201108.jpg|Interior of the store in [[New Town Plaza]] with the older 5th generation design
File:HK SKD 將軍澳 TKO Montara LOHAS Park 日出康城商場 The Lohas mall 大家樂 Cafe de Coral Restaurant interior May 2021 SS2.jpg|link=https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:HK_SKD_%E5%B0%87%E8%BB%8D%E6%BE%B3_TKO_Montara_LOHAS_Park_%E6%97%A5%E5%87%BA%E5%BA%B7%E5%9F%8E%E5%95%86%E5%A0%B4_The_Lohas_mall_%E5%A4%A7%E5%AE%B6%E6%A8%82_Cafe_de_Coral_Restaurant_interior_May_2021_SS2.jpg|Interior of the store in [[LOHAS Park|LOHAS park]] with the newer 6th generation design
File:Guangzhou Panyu Clifford Branch, Cafe de Coral (China) 20220404.jpg|link=https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Guangzhou_Panyu_Clifford_Branch,_Cafe_de_Coral_(China)_20220404.jpg|Exterior of the store in [[Clifford Estates]] in China
File:HK Drink Cafe de Carol Red Happiness Milk n Paper Cups a.jpg|link=https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:HK_Drink_Cafe_de_Carol_Red_Happiness_Milk_n_Paper_Cups_a.jpg|Stacks of pre-maid milk tea
File:Baked pork chop rice from cafe de coral.jpg|link=https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Baked_pork_chop_rice_from_cafe_de_coral.jpg|Baked Pork Chop Rice
File:HK food 大家樂 Cafe de Coral Restaurant 下午茶餐 afternoon tea Bread sweet milk fork Rice vermicelli noodle Oct-2015.jpg|link=https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:HK_food_%E5%A4%A7%E5%AE%B6%E6%A8%82_Cafe_de_Coral_Restaurant_%E4%B8%8B%E5%8D%88%E8%8C%B6%E9%A4%90_afternoon_tea_Bread_sweet_milk_fork_Rice_vermicelli_noodle_Oct-2015.jpg|Afternoon tea meal<ref>{{cite web |author= |date=Jun 16, 2020 |title=【飲食知多啲】與你解構大家樂下午茶三寶 「炸雞髀、西多士、紅豆冰」 |url=https://www.dailynewspot.com/184999.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127092150/https://www.dailynewspot.com/184999.html |archive-date=2020-11-27 |access-date=2020-11-19 |url-status=live}}</ref>
File:Sizzling Plate Dinner Set with Soup and Bun.JPG|link=https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sizzling_Plate_Dinner_Set_with_Soup_and_Bun.JPG|Steak set served during dinner session
File:HK Sai Ying Pun 香港商業中心 Hong Kong Plaza mall Cafe de Carol restaurant food barbecue bbq meat pork duck Jan-2016 DSC.JPG|link=https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:HK_Sai_Ying_Pun_%E9%A6%99%E6%B8%AF%E5%95%86%E6%A5%AD%E4%B8%AD%E5%BF%83_Hong_Kong_Plaza_mall_Cafe_de_Carol_restaurant_food_barbecue_bbq_meat_pork_duck_Jan-2016_DSC.JPG|Roasted selection
</gallery>

==Wage controversy==
When Hong Kong's [[Minimum wage in Hong Kong|minimum wage]] law was passed in July 2010, Café de Coral raised its average salary from HK$22.4/hr to $33/hr to satisfy the law's requirements. During the process, though, it stopped paying its employees for lunch breaks. Their decision led to public backlash and the [[Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions]] threatened to start a public boycott. Three days before the boycott was to begin, Café de Coral reversed its decision and resumed paying its employee for lunch breaks while still giving them the pay raise.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://blogs.forbes.com/robertolsen/2010/11/08/penny-pinching-tycoon-backs-down-after-public-backlash/ |title=Penny-Pinching Tycoon Backs Down After Public Backlash |first=Robert |last=Olsen |date=8 November 2010 |work=Forbes}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Cuisine of Hong Kong]]
*[[Hong Kong cuisine]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
<references/>


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
⚫
*[http://www.cafedecoral.com/web/show/show.jsp?ppid=10 Official website]
*[http://www.cafedecoralfastfood.com Restaurant Corporate website]
*[http://www.cafedecoral.com/ Official website]
*[http://www.cafedecoralcn.com Mainland China Official website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070925211228/http://www.cafedecoralfastfood.com/ Restaurant Corporate website]
⚫
*[http://www.cafedecoralcn.com/ Mainland China Official website]
* Source: Pinyin translated with [http://www.cozychinese.com/convert/ CozyChinese.COM]


{{Hong Kong restaurants}}
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[[Category:Fast-food chains of Hong Kong]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cafe De Coral}}
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[[Category:Fast-food chains of Hong Kong| ]]
[[Category:Companies listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange]]
[[Category:Fast-food chains of China]]
[[Category:Fast-food chains of China]]
[[Category:Catering and food service companies of Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Catering and food service companies of Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Hong Kong brands]]
[[Category:Hong Kong brands]]
[[Category:Café de Coral]]
[[Category:Restaurants established in 1968]]
[[Category:1968 establishments in Hong Kong]]

[[zh:大家樂]]

Latest revision as of 23:46, 6 November 2024

Café de Coral Holdings, Ltd.
Company typePublic
SEHK: 341
IndustryFood service
Founded1968; 56 years ago (1968) in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
HeadquartersFo Tan, Hong Kong
Key people
Sunny Lo (Chairman)
Products
RevenueHK$4.19 billion (2018)
Number of employees
19,000+ (2018)
Websitewww.cafedecoral.com/eng/main/index.jsp
cafedecoralfastfood.com
Café de Coral Holdings Limited
Traditional Chinese大家樂集團有限公司
Simplified Chinese大家乐集团有限公司
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinDàjiālè Jítuán Yǒuxiàngōngsī
Yue: Cantonese
Jyutpingdaai6 gaa1 lok6 zaap6 tyun4 jau5 haan6 gung1 si1

Café de Coral Holdings, Ltd. (Chinese: 大家樂集團有限公司; Cantonese Yale: Daaihgālohk Jaahptyùhn Yáuhhaahn Gūngsī) is a Hong Kong fast-food restaurant group that owns and operates fast-food chains and restaurants, including Café de Coral, Super Super, The Spaghetti House, Oliver's Super Sandwiches, Ah Yee Leng Tong, and others.

Founded in 1968,[1] the Café de Coral group opened its first Café de Coral restaurant in the Causeway Bay district of Hong Kong in 1969. Since then, the group has grown to operate over 580 separate outlets across its brands all over the world. It is the largest Chinese fast-food restaurant group in Hong Kong and in the world. In Hong Kong alone, it caters to over 300,000 people on a typical day.[2]

History

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Founding

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The founders of Café de Coral are Victor Lo Tang-seong (1915-2016), brother of Vitasoy founder Lo Kwee-seong and Fairwood founder Lo Fong-cheung, and his nephew, Lo Kai-muk.[3] Victor Lo had the idea of running a restaurant that would feed the working class of Hong Kong at affordable prices.[4] He incorporated Café de Coral in 1968 and started to operate the first location in Causeway Bay in September 1969 at the age of 54.[5][6]

The chain gradually expanded over the next decade. In 1977, it started promoting its restaurants through TV commercials. In 1979, it established its first food-processing plant in a move to lower costs and ensure consistency.[7] In 1986, the Café de Coral Group went public.[8] In 1988, it opened its 50th Café de Coral restaurant. The years after this were marked by diversification, when it went on a buying spree.[9]

Acquisitions and expansion

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In May 1990, Café de Coral made its first acquisition by buying out the Ah Yee Leng Tong chain for HK$14 million.[10] A year later, it acquired The Spaghetti House, a popular chain that served HK-style Italian food. The same year, it opened up its second food-processing plant. In 1992, it opened both its 100th restaurant and its first restaurant outside Hong Kong in the nearby city of Shenzhen.[11]

In 1996, Café de Coral opened the first location of its new restaurant brand, Bravo le Café. Also in 1996, it acquired Scanfoods, a ham-processing and food-distribution business. In 1998, it started yet another restaurant chain called Super Super Congee & Noodle.[11]

In 2000, continuing its trend of acquisitions, Café de Coral acquired Denny's Bakery, a bakery manufacturing and distribution business in Hong Kong. Also in 2000, it acquired Manchu Wok, a North American Chinese fast-food chain that had a strong presence in Canada and the United States. In the years following, Café de Coral also acquired China Inn (2002), New Asia Dabao (2003), and Oliver's Super Sandwiches (2003).[12]

In 2006, Café de Coral began rolling out its "fourth-generation concept" across all of its locations, effectively renovating many restaurants to bring them up to modern standards.[13]

In 2007, Café de Coral made an investment in the Tao Heung Group, a smaller restaurant group that operates 11 brands all over China and Hong Kong.[12]

In 2012, Café de Coral started another restaurant chain called MiXian Sense, aiming to become the leader in the Hong Kong mixian (rice noodle) market.

In 2016, founder Victor Lo Tang-seong died at the age of 101.[8]

Brands

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Café de Coral

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A Café de Coral fast food restaurant

Café de Coral is a fast-food restaurant chain that serves both Chinese and Western food at a budget price. Established in 1968 in Causeway Bay, Café de Coral operates over 100 locations in the Hong Kong and 24 locations in China.[14] As of September 2019, the group had 165 Café de Coral restaurants.[15]

The Spaghetti House

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The Spaghetti House is a specialty restaurant chain that serves Hong Kong-style Italian cuisine and is positioned as a mid-market chain that is family- and tourist-friendly. Established in 1979, The Spaghetti House operates more than 30 locations in Hong Kong, Macau, and Southern China.[16]

Ah Yee Leng Tong

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Ah Yee Leng Tong is a specialty restaurant chain that serves home-style Chinese soup and a variety of Cantonese dishes. It is also known for its XO sauce. Its restaurants, which average 250 m2, fuse both traditional and modern furnishings and appeal to both locals and tourists. As of 2007, the only location is at Hong Kong International Airport.[17]

Bravo le Café

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Bravo le Café is a quick-service restaurant chain that offers a mix of Western, Chinese, and Japanese food in a bistro setting designed to appeal to "young and upwardly mobile executives."[18] Currently, the three locations of Bravo le Café are in Hong Kong: the International Finance Centre, Central, and Hong Kong International Airport.

Super Super Congee & Noodles

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Super Super Congee & Noodles is a fast-food chain serving congee and various noodle dishes. As of March 2006, 50 locations were in Hong Kong, including two in Tsing Yi and one in Wong Tai Sin.

MiXian Sense

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MiXian Sense is a specialty restaurant chain that serves its own special Sichuan spiced tomato soup rice noodles, with other choices of sweet tomato soup rice noodles and the classic pork bone broth soups and Sichuan spice soup rice noodles. First established in Ching Yi in 2012, it has now expanded all over Hong Kong in 16 locations.

Oliver's Super Sandwich

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Oliver's Super Sandwich was introduced to Hong Kong in 1987 and was rebranded in 2012 by Cafe de Coral. This brand mainly serves freshly made sandwiches, light pasta, and steamed potatoes topped with mixes of eggs and salmon.

Other brands

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Other brands include Little Onion, The Cup, 360 Series, ZAKKA, Shanghai Lao Lao, and Dong Dong Tei.

Wage controversy

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When Hong Kong's minimum wage law was passed in July 2010, Café de Coral raised its average salary from HK$22.4/hr to $33/hr to satisfy the law's requirements. During the process, though, it stopped paying its employees for lunch breaks. Their decision led to public backlash and the Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions threatened to start a public boycott. Three days before the boycott was to begin, Café de Coral reversed its decision and resumed paying its employee for lunch breaks while still giving them the pay raise.[20]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Overview". Café de Coral. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  2. ^ "Café de Coral corporate site". Archived from the original on 14 January 2007. Retrieved 12 January 2007.
  3. ^ "Cafe de Coral founder dies at 101". TheStandard.com.hk. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
  4. ^ Ng, Naomi (7 July 2016). "Cheap and filling, with a side of controversy: how Café de Coral became Hong Kong's largest fast-food chain". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  5. ^ "Café de Coral History – 1960's". Archived from the original on 27 February 2008. Retrieved 18 September 2007.
  6. ^ Cheung, Rachel (2 August 2017). "Homegrown Hong Kong: Cafe de Coral – feeding the working class". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  7. ^ "Café de Coral History 1970's". Archived from the original on 27 February 2008. Retrieved 18 September 2007.
  8. ^ a b Sun, Nikki (6 July 2016). "Founder of Café de Coral, Hong Kong's largest fast-food restaurant chain, dies at 101". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
  9. ^ "Café de Coral History – 1980's". Archived from the original on 7 December 2004. Retrieved 22 March 2005.
  10. ^ CEO's Plan on Integration of Firms – Lecture Slides
  11. ^ a b Café de Coral History – 1990's
  12. ^ a b "Café de Coral History – 21st century". Archived from the original on 1 November 2007. Retrieved 18 September 2007.
  13. ^ "Café de Coral's Introduction of 4G Design Concept Creates a New Era in Hong Kong's Fast Food Industry". 5 February 2006. Archived from the original on 4 April 2007. Retrieved 14 April 2007.
  14. ^ "Café de Coral Information Page". Archived from the original on 17 December 2013. Retrieved 18 September 2007.
  15. ^ Choi, Martin (27 April 2020). "Café de Coral warns of 90 per cent profit slump in warning shot to Hong Kong's restaurant industry". South China Morning Post.
  16. ^ The Spaghetti House – Company Profile
  17. ^ Ah Yee Leng Tong – Locations Archived 13 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  18. ^ "Bravo le Cafe – Information Page". Archived from the original on 7 August 2007. Retrieved 18 September 2007.
  19. ^ "【飲食知多啲】與你解構大家樂下午茶三寶 「炸雞髀、西多士、紅豆冰」". 16 June 2020. Archived from the original on 27 November 2020. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  20. ^ Olsen, Robert (8 November 2010). "Penny-Pinching Tycoon Backs Down After Public Backlash". Forbes.
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