TFI TAB Food Investments Maintains Its Investment Momentum Even During Pandemic

22 09 2021

TFI TAB Food Investments sustains its global growth thanks to its successful operations carried in various countries, particularly in Turkey and China. As the 5th largest quick-service restaurant chain operator worldwide in terms of the total number of restaurants, TFI FAB Food Investments is on its way towards earning its place among the world's top 3.

Turkey's leading quick-service restaurant chain operator

Incorporating four global brands, Burger King®, Sbarro®, Popeyes® and Arby's®, and two local brands, Usta Dönerci® and Usta Pideci®, TFI TAB Food Investments has been a pioneering name to set the standard in the quick-service restaurant chain operations industry where it made its debut 27 years ago with the Burger King® brand.

With more than 1,200 quick-service restaurants across Turkey, the company seeks continuous innovation to establish the best customer experience by providing its guests with delicious, high-quality food by affordable and safe means.

Integrated solutions through a unique food ecosystem

The driving force of TFI TAB Food Investments' operations lies in its business ecosystem consisting of local manufacturing plants, warehouses, and various production facilities.

TFI TAB Food Investments provides solutions for all business needs thanks to a one-of-a-kind integrated business ecosystem consisting of its affiliates, including mainly Fasdat Gıda that is one of Turkey's biggest cold chain logistics operators; Ekmek Unlu Gıda Mamulleri, a top-selling Turkish baked goods manufacturers; Atakey, one of the world's largest potato processing plants; Ekur Et Entegre, a leading meat producer of Turkey in compliance with local and international regulations; Reklam Üssü, a 360-degree marketing agency; and Fiyuu, a customer-experience-focused digital platform for courier delivery with one of Turkey's largest network of motorcycle couriers.

As of the end of June, 60% of our revenue is generated from foreign operations

Emphasizing their successful management of two operations in two giant markets Turkey and China, Korhan Kurdoğlu, Founding Partner and CEO of TFI TAB Food Investments said: "We are continuing our rapid growth in the Chinese market where we entered with the Burger King® brand in 2012, building on our more than 25 years of experience with quick-service restaurant chains and our innovative business model. Thanks to the experience we have gained through our affiliates within our business ecosystem, we developed a special system for China that enabled us to create an amazing success story. From Wulumuqi in the west to Shanghai in the east of China, we have opened more than 1,300 restaurants in 200 cities in a very short time for such an operation. TFI TAB Food Investments has increased its consolidated revenue in China by 5.7-fold from 2013 to when it started consolidating its revenues in China until the end of 2020.

Our constantly-growing overseas operations made a significant contribution to this solid growth. In 2020 our consolidated revenues reached 7.2 billion TL, 4.3 billion TL, or 60 percent of which coming from our overseas operations. Our total EBITDA reached 772 million TL, 44 percent of this amount came from our overseas operations as well. Our foreign revenues serve as a shield against volatility in foreign exchange rates. While our total assets reached 9.9 billion TL in 2020, we have delivered delicious, quality, and safe food to millions of people in Turkey and China."

Also a pioneer in the digital quick-service restaurant business

Having handled the pandemic successfully thanks to its innovative business model, TFI TAB Food Investments managed to make a difference through its long-term investments in food safety and digitalization. Several applications regarding food safety and digitalization have been transformed into even more innovative versions with next-generation contactless solutions that are compatible with the "new normal". Bringing online exposure of its restaurants' kitchens on the digital platform "Ne Yediğini Bil" (Know What You Eat), TFI has once again raised the bar of food safety and hygiene even higher during the pandemic. By participating in the "Safe Tourism Certification Program" launched by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the company registered its practices regarding food safety in accordance with the "new normal".

Striving to meet the changing and transforming consumer preferences, TFI continues to develop innovations in the areas of digital applications and food delivery. Featuring six brands and countless options in a single app, the food ordering platform Tıkla Gelsin®️ covers about 84 percent of various dishes of Turkish cuisine. The updated version of the Tıkla Gelsin®️ app has been downloaded more than 1 million times and earned 3rd place in both Apple Store and Google Play Store food ordering app categories as of June 30, 2021.

We aim to become one of the 3 biggest quick-service restaurant operators in the world

As one of the world's greatest quick-service restaurant operators, the company can adapt to and thrive in any region thanks to its expertise in the industry as well as its capability of generating proper business models for any region. Some of the innovative practices for Burger King® adopted in Turkey and China are adopted as best cases at RBI (Restaurant Brands International, the brand owner of Burger King® and Popeyes® chains) and are applied in different countries. With a growth model focused on value creation, TFI TAB Food Investments aims to sustain its global growth by investing especially in China and Turkey. In addition to its presence in China, TFI TAB Food Investments owns restaurants in North Macedonia, Georgia, and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus affiliated to its Turkey operations and is taking firm steps towards becoming one of the 3 biggest quick-service restaurant operators in the world.