Chinese quick-service restaurant chain Home Original Chicken, better known in its home market as Laoxiangji (Lausanjee), is taking its first step onto the global stage through a strategic partnership with Singapore-listed Jumbo Group, using the city-state as a launchpad for its Southeast Asia expansion. The move marks the brand’s first overseas venture after more than two decades of growth across China and reflects the increasing international ambitions of leading Chinese restaurant brands.
The partnership will see Laoxiangji Holdings and Jumbo F&B Services Pte. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Jumbo Group Ltd., establish a joint venture company in Singapore to develop and operate Lausanjee Chinese-style quick-service restaurants. The venture is expected to combine Laoxiangji’s proven restaurant concept with Jumbo Group’s local market expertise, operational capabilities and established presence in Singapore’s foodservice sector.
Under the agreement, Laoxiangji will own 51% of the joint venture, while Jumbo F&B Services will hold the remaining 49%. The company will be launched with an initial paid-up capital of S$2 million, with Laoxiangji investing S$1.02 million and Jumbo contributing S$980,000 in cash.
Once incorporated, the joint venture will enter into a franchise agreement with Laoxiangji or one of its designated affiliates, giving it the rights to use the Lausanjee trademarks and trade names in Singapore. According to Jumbo Group’s Singapore Exchange (SGX) filing, the agreement will also govern franchise rights, operating standards, franchise fees, as well as the term and renewal of the franchise arrangement.
The venture will be managed by a three-member board, with Laoxiangji appointing two directors and Jumbo Group appointing one, while an appointed management team will oversee the company’s day-to-day operations.
Explaining the rationale behind the partnership, Jumbo Group said the collaboration would combine Laoxiangji’s established Chinese quick-service restaurant concept with the group’s extensive local expertise and know-how, providing a strong platform to introduce the brand to Singapore.
“The collaboration will bring Laoxiangji’s popular brand of Chinese-style quick-service restaurants from China to Singapore, coupled with the Group’s extensive local expertise and know-how,” Jumbo Group said in its SGX filing. The company added: “The joint venture is in line with the Group’s plan to continually expand its stable of F&B brands to further strengthen and grow its presence and market share in Singapore.”
For Jumbo Group, the partnership broadens its portfolio beyond its established seafood and casual dining brands into the fast-growing quick-service restaurant segment, while giving Laoxiangji an experienced local operating partner as it enters its first international market.
Founded in 2003 in Hefei, Anhui Province, Laoxiangji has grown into one of China’s largest homegrown quick-service restaurant chains, specializing in chicken meals, rice dishes, soups and traditional Chinese home-style cuisine.
According to Jumbo Group, Laoxiangji serves more than 150 million customers annually through a network of over 1,600 restaurants across more than 50 cities in China. The company has gradually evolved from an entirely company-operated model to a mix of company-owned and franchised restaurants as it continues expanding its domestic footprint.
Listed on the Singapore Exchange, Jumbo Group is one of Singapore’s leading multi-brand restaurant operators. Its portfolio includes JUMBO Seafood, Zui Teochew Cuisine, Kok Kee Wonton Noodle, Chao Ting, Ng Ah Sio Bak Kut Teh, JUMBO Signatures and several other dining concepts, with operations and franchise partnerships across multiple Asian markets.
While Laoxiangji has recently introduced franchising as part of its domestic expansion strategy, its Singapore entry is not a direct international franchise rollout. Instead, the overseas business will operate through a joint venture that is itself licensed under a franchise agreement with Laoxiangji, allowing the Chinese restaurant chain to retain control of its intellectual property, operating standards and brand positioning while leveraging Jumbo Group’s local expertise.
The Singapore venture represents a significant milestone in Laoxiangji’s international journey. Beyond opening its first overseas restaurants, the partnership provides the company with a scalable market-entry model that could support future expansion across Southeast Asia, although it has not yet announced plans for additional overseas markets or standalone international franchise opportunities.
