TJI’s board leadership excellence drives growth

“We are honoured to receive the Directors Of The Year Awards 2023 in the ‘Listed Companies’ Category. It’s a testament to the exceptional leadership of our board,” says Daren Lau, Chairman, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Tam Jai International Co. Limited (TJI).

“Under the Board’s guidance, the Group has achieved a strong foothold in the local market while continuously expanding its overseas presence, underpinned by an efficient management model, relentless innovation and remarkable operational excellence. With a steadfast focus on offering customers an excellent yet affordable dining experience, the Group has cemented its role as a preeminent player in the local F&B market,” adds Lau.

As one of the leading restaurant groups in Hong Kong, TJI has rapidly expanded its network to over 200 stores across various markets, including Mainland China, Singapore and Japan, with plans to enter the Australian and the Philippine markets through joint venture and/or franchising arrangements. The Group’s portfolio of distinguished brands includes TamJai Yunnan Mixian, TamJai SamGor Mixian, and the addition of the Japanese udon brand, Marugame Seimen, through franchise in Hong Kong.

Effective corporate governance framework

Lau points out that the Board of Directors is a critical component of corporate governance, particularly in TJI’s journey of going global: “The Board, directly and indirectly through its committees, leads and provides direction to the management team by laying down strategies and overseeing their implementation, monitors the Group’s operational and financial performance, and ensures that sound internal control and risk management systems are in place.”

Lau believes that robust corporate governance standards are essential to provide the company with the framework it needs to protect shareholder interests, increase corporate value, develop its business plans and policies, and improve accountability and transparency.

Lau expresses his appreciation to the Board for their efforts, saying that “all Directors, including non-executive and independent non-executive Directors, have brought a wide spectrum of valuable business experience, knowledge, and expertise to the Board for its efficient and effective functioning.”

Bringing home-grown “Tam Jai Taste” to global palates

The vision at TJI is to satisfy customers’ cravings for a comforting bowl of Chinese noodle soup served with warmth and friendly service reminiscent of Hong Kong. The goal is to bring all of Tam Jai’s unique flavors and culinary culture to locations around the globe so people everywhere can enjoy this taste of Hong Kong.

Leveraging standardized operations, innovative thinking and strengthened management team, the Group has recently announced its plans to introduce a franchise model to enter its inaugural Western market, Australia, and the Philippines. Lau states, “We are excited about this new chapter for TJI. In particular, we believe our expansion efforts in Australia will lay the groundwork for future opportunities in other western countries. This will help propel our goal of sharing ‘Tam Jai Taste’ globally.”

Embedding ESG to achieve sustainable growth

Sustainability has been a fundamental topic at the board level since the establishment of TJI’s Board. When discussing the Group’s environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategy, Lau explains that recent challenges like the pandemic, supply chain issues, and more frequent extreme weather have led the Group to recognize bolder steps are needed to operate and thrive sustainably over the long run.

With the goal of embedding sustainability into its daily operation, the Group has established an ESG Strategy Framework built around three core pillars: Nourishing Communities, Uplifting People, and Preserving Nature.

Prioritizing staff engagement

Without question, employee satisfaction is crucial to the company’s advancement, stresses Lau. “With ‘Uplifting People’ at the heart of our ESG strategy, we place great emphasis on uplifting and creating shared values with our employees,” notes Lau.

Apart from offering staff training, Lau specifically highlights the “TJl Education Support Scheme for Employees’ Children”. Since its official launch in 2015, the Scheme has successfully distributed over HK$5.8 million in scholarship funds to support the university studies of 182 children of employees within the Group. This initiative has strengthened the bond between the Group and our employees, making them feel valued and recognized for their contributions, says Lau.

Creating better and greener communities

F&B is a people-centric industry. Lau emphasizes the critical importance of building and maintaining positive relationships with various stakeholders, especially within the local communities where the business operates. TJI demonstrated support by providing free meals to over 3,400 underprivileged individuals in FY2023 in collaboration with St. James’ Settlement.

Moving towards a greener future

TJI has actively participated in sustainable practices to make a positive impact on the environment, Lau adds. Through its partnership with charity organizations, TJI regularly donates surplus food from its central kitchen to be transformed into meal boxes for those in need. To go one step further on its commitment to reduce food waste, the Group expanded its efforts to cover 40% of its restaurants in Hong Kong in its food waste collection and recycling initiatives. In addition, the Group has replaced plastic cutlery with eco-friendly alternatives for takeaway customers since October 2023.