PUTRAJAYA: Petronas Dagangan Bhd (PetDag) plans to open another 100 semi cafe or “Grab to Go” concept stores at Petronas stations nationwide by early next year as it embarks on an aggressive expansion plan to cater to the needs of the younger generation.

Its managing director and chief executive officer Datuk Mohd Ibrahimnuddin Mohd Yunus said the one-stop centre convenience Mesra C-stores is currently undergoing a step-by-step process and it would focus very much on the urban population, mainly on their needs and preferences in the areas.

He added that PetDag was in talks to identify strategic partnerships to diversify its offerings at the stations.

Among its current food and beverage partners are McDonald’s, Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, Baskin Robbins, Rotiboy, Kaya Kopitiam, Kayu Nasi Kandar, Hot  and  Go, and Asa Damai Cafe.

“At Petronas, we are open to have all sorts of companies or entrepreneurs to come. Most importantly, our main focus is what the customer wants. This is the standard we put at our stations. We cater for the customers needs and tastes.

“We want to be able to provide everything, from fuel to shop, run errands, do banking, pay bills, have a coffee or even hang out with family and friends,” he told reporters after attending the opening ceremony of a’rooma, a contemporary lifestyle cafe by Deluxe Merchant Sdn Bhd at a Petronas station in Precinct 16, Putrajaya.

The cafe was opened by Perbadanan Usahawan Nasional Bhd (PUNB) chairman, Tan Sri Mohd Ali Rustam.

Mohd Ibrahimnuddin said the strategic partnership between PetDag and Deluxe Merchant was expected to provide customers quality gourmet food and beverages amidst a cosy and stylish ambience.

He also said the company would also refurbish and renovate some 750 Mesra Stores out of the 1,000 petrol stations nationwide, with a total investment of between RM100,000 to RM200,000 depending on the needs of customers of the respective outlets.

“We have started this last year, and hopefully, 25 outlets at petrol stations will all be ready and meet the standard of our patrons by the middle of this year. At all our stations, we set up a corner to promote and sell products from the small and medium entreprises (SMEs) around the city to our customers. This is Petronas’s initiative to help the SMEs,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mohd Ali said the recognition given by Petronas to collaborate with Deluxe Merchant was an achievement and acceptance given to a local entrepreneur that would ensure the success of the partnership, not only in Malaysia, but expand the business to Asean and other parts in the world.

PUNB had approved funding of RM2.5bil to 6,000 entrepreneurs with the company since its inception in 1992 until now.

“As of today, we have given total loans of between RM100,000 and RM500,000 to 120 Petronas stations,” he said, adding every borrower had paid back the loan.

Deluxe Merchant managing director Datin Azreen Abu Noh said the second a’rooma outlet based on the grab and go concept was available at Petronas Station Penchala Link, and the company aimed to open an additional eight outlets at Petronas Stations in the Klang Valley from time to time.

a’rooma cafe serves premium food and real meals similar to home cooked food with no artificial flavourings including cakes, pies, pizza, bottled latte and coolers priced from RM3.50 to RM15. - Bernama