MALAYSIA’S first and original shaker fries brand, Happy Potato, successfully entered four new markets within six months, reaching 126 outlets across five countries in the company's fastest expansion since its founding seven years ago.
The latest expansion saw Happy Potato nearly doubling its Malaysian network to 117 outlets nationwide during this period, alongside three outlets in Bangladesh, two in Indonesia, two in China and two in Cambodia.
Happy Potato began in 2019 with a single outlet in Suria Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, before expanding into Peninsular Malaysia in 2023 and accelerating its franchise rollout over the past two years.
Happy Potato first entered Bangladesh in February 2026 and later expanded into Indonesia that same month.
China became its third overseas market in May, with a second outlet opening the following month.
This July, the company entered Cambodia while opening its third outlet in Bangladesh, completing its entry into four international markets within six months.
Happy Potato CEO and co-founder Edmund Lim said the pace of expansion was made possible by years of refining the company's franchise model, operational systems and brand positioning before taking the business overseas.
"Opening an outlet is only one part of expansion. The bigger challenge is making sure customers receive the same experience, product quality and service standards regardless of where they visit us. That requires the right operating systems, franchise support and local partners.
"The past six months have allowed us to put those systems into practice across different markets. Every country operates differently, so each opening has strengthened our understanding of how to scale the business while staying consistent with what customers expect from Happy Potato," he said.
Growth overseas follows a period of rapid expansion in Malaysia. After opening its first directly operated outlet in Peninsular Malaysia in October 2023, Happy Potato added 98 outlets between 2024 and 2025, making it one of the country's largest homegrown shaker fries chains.
Collaborating with McCain Foods, one of the world's leading manufacturers of premium potato products, Happy Potato celebrated its seventh anniversary in conjunction with World Fries Day on July 13 with its “Unlimited Free Flow Shaker Fries” promotion at Sunway Square Mall, Bandar Sunway, Selangor. Now it’s running a “Happy Shake” campaign until September 8 across all outlets in Malaysia.
The Happy Shake campaign gives a new interactive way for customers to enjoy shaker fries by allowing them to shake their own fries. Available at RM9.90 à la carte or RM5.90 combo meal Purchase-with-Purchase (PWP), the campaign also features a lucky draw and a social media challenge for a chance to win weekly and grand prizes. – July 20, 2026
