Thailand’s PTT Oil and Retail is set to invest US$405 million in the expansion of its Cafe Amazon network and its Texas Chicken franchise. 

The investment represents 45 per cent of the company’s broader $900 million capital expenditure budget revealed this week.

CEO Disathat Panyarachun said 400 Cafe Amazon stores are slated to open this year, along with 122 gas stations and 500 EV charging stations. PTT is also eyeing potential mergers and acquisitions. 

Founded in 2002, Cafe Amazon has 3900 stores in its home market and more than 350 stores across 10 international markets – Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, China, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Japan, Oman and Saudi Arabia. 

The Thai cafe chain launched in Saudi Arabia last year with the ambition to roll out 150 locations there by 2032. Cafe Amazon also aims to increase its number of overseas stores to 1000 by 2025. 

Meanwhile, PPT said 22 per cent of the budget would be used to expand its network of gas and EV charging stations.  

The company’s retail portfolio includes Texas Chicken, c-store chain Jiffy and Pearly Tea.