Since its first arrival at Wisma Lim Foo Yong in Bukit Bintang on 11 November 2016, many have grown to love FamilyMart for bringing authentic Japanese foods to Malaysia’s market.
Not only that, but it’s also the first convenience store to sell soft-serve ice cream and fresh snacks consisting of Japanese specialities like matcha and melon.
However, do you know the story behind this successful convenience store?
Picture: Facebook FamilyMart
The history of the store
Unexpectedly, FamilyMart is the world’s second-largest convenience store chain. They have approximately 17,500 stores globally and are packed with more than 40 years of expertise in convenience retailing.
First founded in Sayama, Japan, by Seibu Retailing Group on September 1973, and it was then incorporated on 1 September 1981, 41 years ago. Currently, their headquarters is at Shibaura, Minato, Tokyo, Japan.
Picture: Website FamilyMart Japan
Until 2022, this store was a subsidiary of FamilyMart UNY Holdings CO., Ltd. (UFHD), which owned the supermarket chain Uny. Sadly, UFHD dissolved when Don Quijote’s parent company acquired them in 2022.
Since then, they’ve been thriving globally with around 24,574 stores in Japan, Taiwan, China, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia.
FamilyMart in Malaysia
Did you know? QL Maxincome Sdn Bhd becomes a master franchisee of the store. Interestingly, the convenience store is also a subsidiary of QL Resources Berhad. It’s one of the established companies listed on the major market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad.
What’s so special about this store?
Many might not know, but the store is famous for its distinct doorbell. Does it sound familiar to you?
Furthermore, it’s about the food, of course!
Picture: Facebook FamilyMart
Since Malaysians have become more adventurous in trying new dishes— from Japanese, Korean, Western and Eastern— they seized their opportunity to venture into Malaysia’s convenience market. There are many delicacies that Malaysians can choose from: various types of onigiri, bento, snacks, and bread that are all delicious and simply Japanese.
Picture: Instagram FamilyMart
Matcha or green tea is one of Japan’s staple flavours, and their matcha-flavoured items are irresistible to many, often becoming a part of their bestselling dishes.
Seasonal flavours to satisfy your needs
Picture: Instagram FamilyMart
When it’s durian season, they become one of the pioneers of incorporating Malaysia’s speciality into their menus. Ice cream, mochi and bread-flavoured durian are available when the loved musang king comes into the picture!
Fresh food? Is it possible?
Some might be sceptical because how can you get fresh food from a convenience store? Therefore, they’re striving to break that stereotype by delivering fresh and delectable snacks and meals. Surely, you’ll taste the difference!
If your stomach is empty and craves something Japanese, head to the nearest store and satisfy your belly with authentic Nihon menus!
Picture: Instagram FamilyMart
Also, visit their Facebook and Instagram for tasty-licious updates you don’t want to miss!
Sources: Website FamilyMart, Instagram FamilyMart, Facebook FamilyMart, Youtube
