Thai coffee and food chain Black Canyon is expanding its operations in Cambodia with the unveiling yesterday of its fourth branch in the Kingdom.

The company, which has operated in Cambodia for over 10 years, opened its newest location in the PTT petrol station in Skuon, 75 kilometres north of the capital. Three existing branches are located in Phnom Penh in Aeon Mall, Paragon Mall and the Chbar Ampov PTT station.

Praewa Sirisanguanvong, head of international business development for Black Canyon, said the company’s expansion will follow two different business strategies.

“We will expand in Cambodia both with our own investment, and we will also open franchising opportunities for local franchisees,” she said, adding that the company expects to open more branches both in PTT stations and as standalone locations.

While she declined to reveal how many branches it plans to open in Cambodia, the company is set to open 15 additional stores in Thailand next year that are focused on smaller low-cost locations.

Nevertheless, Praewa explained that increased competition is pushing Black Canyon to look at international markets for further growth.

“There’s good potential for the food and beverage business to expand in the Cambodian market, [as there is] less competition compared to Thailand’s market, which already has many well established coffee brands.”

Black Canyon also expanded its business to Myanmar earlier this year and has 40 stores in Malaysia, Indonesia, Laos and the Philippines, on top of its 295 locations in Thailand.