Kuala lumpur: Metta Food and Lifestyle Sdn Bhd, the operator of Chef Wan Group of Restaurants, is targeting local and international expansion following the acquisition by Oasis Harvest Corporation for RM30.8 million. Metta chief executive officer Andre Shum said the acquisition marks a new chapter for the restaurant group, co-founded by the national culinary ambassador Datuk Redzuawan Ismail, in positioning itself as a representative of Malaysia’s culinary identity.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Andre Shum emphasized the strategic position of the Chef Wan Group of Restaurants, highlighting their role in representing Malaysia through their food and beverage operations. Shum stated that under Oasis’s new leadership, the group is set to expand both locally and internationally. The focus will include exploring new domestic markets beyond Malaysia’s West Coast and venturing into the East Coast.
Andre further explained that despite the current challenges in the retail market, the group remains resilient due to strong financial results and operational optimization through automation, enterprise resource planning (ERP), and artificial intelligence (AI). These technological advancements have helped optimize manpower, and the group is confident of thriving in the next financial year with planned expansions and overhead optimization.
The Chef Wan Group of restaurants operates two main brands: De.Wan 1958 by Chef Wan, with three outlets, and Cafe Chef Wan, which has four outlets and two additional licensed outlets. Meanwhile, Oasis executive director Ch’ng Eu Vern noted that the acquisition provides a foundation for integrating the F and B business, combining premium dining, operational efficiency, and strong local branding.
Oasis is pursuing a proactive mergers and acquisitions strategy to expand both organically and inorganically, aiming to become one of Malaysia’s leading F and B conglomerates. The acquisition, which includes a two-year profit guarantee of RM5.6 million, aligns with the robust growth of Malaysia’s F and B sector, supported by increasing consumer spending, tourism recovery, and the rising appeal of local cuisine. The group intends to leverage these market trends by combining financial capabilities, brand synergy, and innovative business models to drive long-term value creation for its shareholders.