Ikano Centres introduces new drive-thru concept in Penang

PENANG,Malaysia,Sept. 28,2020 -- Building on the first phase opening in December last year,Ikano Centres,part of IKEA Southeast Asia,is excited to launch a new drive-thru concept next to IKEA Batu Kawan in North Malaysia. Focusing on food and beverage (F&B),the drive-thru will be the natural next phase in the development of its meeting place that embraces the new age of convenience.

Ikano Centres continues to engage with the community with a new drive-thru concept in Penang

Expected to be fully operational by mid-2021,the drive-thru component will complement the current dine-in IKEA restaurant and F&B tenants. The latest addition will see more food options across the 200,744 square feet gross leasable area.

"Malaysians have a great love for food and appreciate convenience," said Christian Roejkjaer,Managing Director of IKEA Southeast Asia & Mexico. "For many,drive-thrus have become a quintessential part of their lifestyle and may play a crucial role in our 'new normal'. Building our first drive-thru concept in Batu Kawan is one way for us to create a safe and positive space for the community to come out and enjoy their favourite food."

IKEA Southeast Asia's Shopping Centre and Mixed-Use Director,Christian Olofsson added,"We look forward to welcoming more partners that share the same community-spirit,to further build a retail destination that Malaysians and tourists will want to visit."

Ikano Centres is also pleased to welcome its first partner to complement the on-the-go concept – McDonald's Malaysia. Taking up approximately 35,000 square feet space,the quick-service restaurant at Batu Kawan will be Penang's 16th free-standing McDonald's Malaysia outlet.

According to Azmir Jaafar,Managing Director and Local Operating Partner of McDonald's Malaysia,this outlet will reflect the iconic fun,bright and comfortable atmosphere that most Malaysians have come to love.

"At McDonald's Malaysia,we continue to cater to changing trends among customers who are increasingly seeking convenience,as well as fast and friendly service to complement their on-the-go lifestyles. We are excited to expand our drive-thru footprint to Batu Kawan,where customers can now enjoy 'feel-good-moments' just by conveniently driving by and ordering their favourite meals from a McDonald's restaurant window," said Azmir.

Also,Ikano Centres is in dialogue with petrol station operators to meet the high demand within the growing township of Aspen Vision City in Batu Kawan.

The latest anchored-by-IKEA commercial development is a joint-venture between IKEA Southeast Asia and Malaysia's Aspen Group to develop Aspen Vision City,transforming Batu Kawan into an iconic hub in the Northern region of Malaysia.

"Batu Kawan's development has been tremendously progressing towards becoming the third satellite city of Penang. We are elated to welcome another well-known international brand,McDonald's to Aspen Vision City's (AVC) neighbourhood. As a globally famous quick service restaurant chain,their presence in AVC will surely be a crowd-puller,which also caters to a workforce of approximately 16,000 at the Batu Kawan Industrial Park.

Earlier this year,we also saw students joining the newly launched The Ship Campus as well as the University of Wollongong KDU Batu Kawan Campus. Other projects to be completed are Vertu Resort,Vivo Executive Apartment and Viluxe with 3,132 units of residential units which will add traction to AVC," said Dato' Murly Manokharan,President & Group CEO of Aspen Group.

Within the region,IKEA Southeast Asia owns and operates five shopping centres anchored by IKEA. Both the blue-box home-furnishing stores and its meeting places are committed to serving the evolving needs of millions of visitors to create a better everyday life for the many people.

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