Hock Kee Kopitiam Just Changed the Game, Creador Foundation and Censuria Enter, Bella Astillah Takes Charge

Hock Kee Kopitiam has thrown down a decisive marker in Malaysia’s kopitiam landscape with two game-changing moves — the entry of the Creador Foundation (the philanthropic arm of private equity firm Creador) alongside Censuria Capital as their strategic investors, and the appointment of Bella Astillah as its first official Brand Ambassador. The dual power move coincides with the opening of its 17th outlet, Hock Kee Heritage at Medan Pasar, underscoring the brand’s rapid ascent from a homegrown favourite into a nationally scaled platform with serious growth intent.

The arrival of the Creador Foundation and Censuria injects institutional capital, expansion firepower and operational discipline to accelerate network rollout, platform capability and long-term market leadership, while Bella Astillah’s appointment signals a bold elevation of brand influence, cultural relevance and mainstream visibility. Together, these moves recalibrate the competitive dynamics of the kopitiam category — shifting the conversation from fragmented independents to a brand-led, professionally scaled national contender.

Strategic Investment by Creador Foundation and Censuria Validate Hock Kee’s Growth Trajectory

The strategic investment by the Creador Foundation, the philanthropic arm of a leading private equity firm in Southeast Asia known for backing high-growth consumer and retail brands, reflects strong confidence in Hock Kee Kopitiam’s business fundamentals, brand positioning and long-term potential.

Creador is widely recognised for its investments in prominent Malaysian and regional brands such as BIG Pharmacy and MR DIY. Commenting on the investment, Brahmal Vasudevan, Founder of Creador and Trustee of the Creador Foundation, said, “Our decision to invest in Hock Kee Kopitiam is rooted in our strong belief in its robust business fundamentals, unique brand positioning, and significant long-term potential as a nationally recognised Malaysian brand.”

In addition to the Creador Foundation, the investment round also includes participation from private equity firm Censuria Capital, led by Chairman Datuk Marco Yap. Censuria brings deep experience in value creation, operational optimisation and long-term business scaling across Malaysia’s consumer and industrial sectors.

Commenting on the investment, Datuk Marco Yap said, “Hock Kee Kopitiam represents the kind of disciplined, founder-led business that is well positioned to scale with the right institutional support. The brand has demonstrated strong execution, clear positioning and a deep understanding of its customer base. We see meaningful opportunity to support the next phase of growth through strengthening systems, governance and long-term organisational capability, while preserving the authenticity that has made Hock Kee successful.”

Hock Kee Kopitiam

Founded in 2018, Hock Kee Kopitiam has grown steadily from a single outlet in Johor into a 17-outlet nationwide network, expanding into key markets including Johor Bahru, Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and, soon, Kelantan. In 2024, the brand achieved Halal certification, further strengthening its accessibility, inclusivity and national appeal.

According to Nick Ng, Founder of Hock Kee Kopitiam, the partnership with both the Creador Foundation and Censuria represents more than financial backing. He shared, “They bring deep expertise in scaling Malaysian consumer brands with strong operational discipline. Their decision to invest in Hock Kee is a strong endorsement of our business model, brand foundation and long-term strategy. More importantly, we share the same values of building sustainable businesses with strong governance, people development and operational excellence.”

These investments will support outlet expansion, talent development, operational systems, supply chain strengthening and brand building, as Hock Kee Kopitiam accelerates its next phase of growth while maintaining its kopitiam heritage and service standards.

Bella Astillah Appointed as First Brand Ambassador

In conjunction with this milestone, Hock Kee Kopitiam also announced Malaysian singer and actress Bella Astillah as its first official Brand Ambassador, marking a new phase in its brand engagement and consumer connection strategy. Widely admired for her authenticity, warmth and relatability, Bella reflects the core values of Hock Kee Kopitiam.

Hock Kee Kopitiam

As a long-time fan and regular customer of Hock Kee Kopitiam, Bella has shared a genuine connection with the brand long before her official appointment. Last year, she participated in one of Hock Kee’s outlet openings as a “Friend of Hock Kee”, reflecting her authentic support for the brand. This longstanding relationship, built on shared values of family, comfort food and community, makes her a natural choice as Hock Kee Kopitiam’s first Brand Ambassador.

Bella shared, “I’ve always been very fond of Hock Kee Kopitiam. It’s one of those places I genuinely enjoy going to, whether for a simple meal or to spend time with family and friends. So when the opportunity came to be part of the Hock Kee family in a bigger way, it felt very meaningful to me.”

17th Outlet Opening at Medan Pasar: Honouring Heritage, Signalling Growth

The opening of Hock Kee Heritage at Medan Pasar represents a symbolic milestone for the brand. Located in one of Kuala Lumpur’s most historic districts, the outlet reflects Hock Kee’s respect for tradition while embracing modern standards of comfort, service and consistency.

“Medan Pasar carries deep historical meaning for Kuala Lumpur. Opening our 17th outlet here is both an honour and a responsibility. The first time I stepped into this area, I was immediately drawn to its heritage atmosphere. There is so much history, character and soul here. It was almost like love at first sight!” Nick Ng added.

From its beginnings as a neighbourhood kopitiam, Hock Kee Kopitiam has steadily evolved into a brand serving both local communities and international tourists. Beyond expansion, the company is committed to strengthening the global recognition of Malaysian food culture, positioning it alongside other globally celebrated Asian cuisines.

Behind the scenes, Hock Kee Kopitiam is firmly backed by the strategic capital and institutional expertise of the Creador Foundation and Censuria. At the front of the brand, Bella Astillah brings warmth, credibility and national resonance as the face of Hock Kee. At the centre of it all stands Founder Nick Ng, steadfast in preserving the brand’s core values of Good Food, Beautiful Culture and the Muhibbah spirit — ensuring that growth never comes at the expense of identity.

With this strong alignment of capital strength, brand leadership and founding values, Hock Kee Kopitiam is now well positioned to enter its next phase of disciplined and sustainable expansion.

Nick Ng stressed, “From day one, our intention has always been simple: to serve honest, good Malaysian food in spaces where people feel comfortable and welcome. Even with these important milestones, that original purpose will not change. They give us greater confidence and strength to grow responsibly, while staying true to who we are and where we come from.”

For more information about Hock Kee Kopitiam, please visit our official website.

Kuala Lumpur & Selangor Outlets