SSI rolling out HK’s Crystal Jade restaurants in PH

Fresh from a venture to bring the Shake Shack burger chain to the Philippines, listed speciality retailer SSI Group Inc. is turning its attention to rolling out Michelin-starred dimsum and congee restaurants in the country.

SSI said in a stock exchange filing on Wednesday that it had partnered with Singapore’s Crystal Jade group with plans to open the latter’s Crystal Jade Hong Kong Kitchen in Central Square, Bonifacio Global City in the first quarter of 2020.

SSI sealed what was called a territory agreement with Crystal Jade Management PTE Ltd. This will allow SSI to own and operate Crystal Jade restaurants in the Philippines.

The deal includes Crystal Jade’s successful international concepts Crystal Jade Golden Palace, Crystal Jade Hong Kong Kitchen, Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao and Crystal Jade Go.

“The opening of Crystal Jade in the Philippines is aligned with our desire to provide consumers with complete lifestyle offerings through global partnerships that cater to the eclectic and sophisticated taste of the Filipino consumer,” Anthony T. Huang, president of SSI, said in the filing.

Crystal Jade Culinary Concepts Holding was founded in 1991 and was considered a household name in parts of Asia.

Crystal Jade has been recognized as a Michelin one star brand in Singapore for three consecutive years. It has also received multiple Michelin Bib Gourmand commendation awards for its locations in Shanghai and Hong Kong.

Its portfolio today spans 100 fine dining, casual and quick service restaurants across 30 cities in Asia Pacific.

“We are excited to join in partnership with such a renowned specialty retailer which has successfully brought so many iconic international brands to the Philippines,” Douglas DeBoer, CEO of Crystal Jade Culinary Concepts, said in the same filing. —MIGUEL R. CAMUS