Tim Ho Wan (Chinese: 添好運) is a Hong Kong dim sum restaurant chain originating from Hong Kong. Known for being "the world's cheapest Michelin-star restaurant", the chain has since expanded and now has franchises in 12 countries.[3][4]
| Tim Ho Wan, the Dim-Sum Specialists[1] 添好運點心專門店[2] | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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.jpg) Tim Ho Wan Sham Shui Po branch | |||||||||||
| Restaurant information | |||||||||||
| Established | March 2009 | ||||||||||
| Owner(s) | Jollibee Foods Corporation | ||||||||||
| Previous owner(s) | Mak Kwai-pui and Leung Fai-keung | ||||||||||
| Food type | Hong Kong Cuisine, Dim Sum[2] | ||||||||||
| Website | http://www.timhowan.com.hk | ||||||||||
| Chinese name | |||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 添好運 | ||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 添好运 | ||||||||||
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In November 2024, the company was acquired by Jollibee Foods Corporation.[5]
History
editTim Ho Wan was founded in March 2009 by Mak Kwai-pui (a former chef at three Michelin star restaurant Lung King Heen) and Leung Fai-keung, with their first location being a 20-seater restaurant in Mong Kok.[6] Mak had stated that, "the food scene in Hong Kong globalized and I saw less and less authentic Cantonese food", and that by opening Tim Ho Wan he wanted to "keep the tradition alive at an affordable price".[7] The name Tim Ho Wan means "to add good luck".[8]
Within a year of opening, the original Tim Ho Wan in Mong Kok gained a Michelin star.[9]
Local Expansion
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The original Mong Kok location relocated to Olympian City in 2013, and the chain has 5 additional branches in Hong Kong.[4]
Franchise
editThe Tim Ho Wan Group is owned by Mak and Leung (50% equity holding each), and the group owns all branches in Hong Kong. The Group also collects fees by franchising out their brand globally; all Tim Ho Wan head chefs at these franchised locations must be experienced dim sum chefs, and go through a mandatory 4-week training session in Hong Kong.[8]
Asia-Pacific
editThe Asia-Pacific franchise rights are held by Tim Ho Wan Private Limited, and includes 39 branches in 9 Asia-Pacific markets (excluding Hong Kong, as Tim Ho Wan Group retains direct control of their Hong Kong branches, and excluding Japan). The master franchise rights were acquired by Jollibee Foods Corporation for approximately USD 33 million in 2018.[10]
Europe, the USA, and Japan
editThe franchise rights in Europe, the United States, and Japan are held by Japanese dining group WDI Group. They currently operate 8 branches, with 2 in Tokyo, 2 in New York City, 1 in Irvine, CA, 1 in Las Vegas, 1 in Waikiki, and 1 in Katy, TX.[11][12]
References
edit- ^ "Tim Ho Wan, the Dim-Sum Specialists, Hong Kong - Restaurant Reviews - TripAdvisor". TripAdvisor. Retrieved 2 July 2015.
- ^ a b "Tim Ho Wan, the Dim-Sum Specialists - Hong Kong Style Dim Sum Chinese Restaurant in Central Hong Kong". OpenRice Hong Kong. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
- ^ Hong, Brendon (25 September 2014). "The Cheapest Michelin-Starred Restaurant in the World Is Also One of the Best". VICE. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
- ^ a b "關於我們 | 添好運". www.timhowan.com.hk. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
- ^ Loyola, James A. (5 November 2024). "Jollibee taking full ownership of Tim Ho Wan". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
- ^ Wranik, Michelle (3 February 2010). "Tim Ho Wan restaurant, Hong Kong: the hottest meal ticket in town". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
- ^ Rosen, Elisabeth (15 January 2017). "New York fuels global ambitions of Hong Kong's Tim Ho Wan". Nikkei Asian Review.
- ^ a b Chung, Grace (28 June 2017). "How Two Entrepreneur Chefs Built The World's Cheapest Michelin-Rated Restaurant". Forbes.
- ^ "Michelin-Star Meal on a Dime: Eating at Tim Ho Wan". TravelCaffeine. 18 February 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
- ^ "Jollibee buys Tim Ho Wan's franchise in Asia Pacific". Asia Times. 13 May 2018. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
- ^ "Tim Ho Wan". WDI Group. 25 May 2017. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
- ^ "Tim Ho Wan Locations". Tim Ho Wan. 5 December 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2022.
External links
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