Gourmet Master, the operator of the Taiwanese chain of coffee shops 85°C Bakery Cafe, has entered the crowded Asian hot pot restaurant market with a first eatery in Taiwan.

Its first hot pot restaurant in Taipei is branded Top One Pot and the company says it plans to open 19 more in Taiwan during the next five years. It will open its first overseas outlet in China by next year.

“We hope to duplicate the success of 85°C with our new hot pot restaurant. We will conduct our research and development operations in Taiwan and then expand the brand across the Greater China area,” said David Chiu, management division head of Gourmet Master.

According to the 2012 Taiwan Chain Store Almanac, there are 891 hotpot restaurants operating in Taiwan, reflecting its popularity in the country. The China Cuisine Association reveals that six of the top 20 restaurant chains in China are hotpot-based.

Gourmet Master says it will introduce new brands as it increases the pace of its group-wide expansion. Next year will see a steakhouse brand unveiled, while earlier this year it launched a new bakery brand called Better Simple in Taiwan.

The company’s largest rivals are restaurant operators Tai Tong Food and Beverage Group which runs three brands in Taiwan, and Wowprime with 11 brands in Taiwan and China.

GB