Malaysian halal noodle chain Faizal Kong Noodles has entered a strategic partnership with investment firms MCI Capital and Evolve Capital, marking a major step in its transition from a fast-growing domestic restaurant group into an internationally scalable brand.

The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding formalises long-term collaboration in capital structuring, brand expansion, supply chain industrialisation, and global market entry. The ceremony was held in Kuala Lumpur, symbolising the company’s shift into a more structured, capital-driven phase of growth.

According to Samuel Chew, Director of Eternal Legacy Holdings, the brand owner, the partnership is not merely financial support but a strategic alliance designed to position Faizal Kong as a global leader in halal Chinese cuisine.

“This is about building a sustainable international brand, not short-term funding,” Chew said. “We are preparing the company for its next stage of professional, institutional expansion.”

Founded less than three years ago, Faizal Kong Noodles has expanded to 25 outlets through a reinvestment-driven growth model, where profits are continuously channelled back into new store openings. Additional locations are already in development.

The chain operates primarily in Kuala Lumpur, the Klang Valley, Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, and Johor, focusing on high-density community and mall locations. Its customer base spans Malaysia’s diverse population, with particularly strong adoption among Malay consumers.

Unlike many brands that market themselves as traditional Lanzhou imports, Faizal Kong deliberately localises its product. The noodles are adapted to Malaysian taste preferences — richer in flavour, more aromatic, and paired with a proprietary chili oil that has become a brand signature.

“We are not selling Chinese authenticity,” Chew explained. “We are creating Malaysian-style halal noodles.”

This positioning has helped the brand bridge cultural preferences and appeal to a broad multi-ethnic audience.

Behind the brand’s rapid expansion is a highly standardised central kitchen infrastructure. Core ingredients and seasoning bases are centrally produced and distributed through a cold-chain system to maintain consistency across outlets.

Fresh noodles are refrigerated rather than dried to preserve texture, while broth is prepared daily in-store using beef bones and standardised flavour packs. This industrial supply chain model lays the groundwork for franchising and cross-border replication.

While current outlets remain company-owned, Faizal Kong plans to introduce a structured franchise programme in collaboration with government agencies. The goal is to scale to 150 company-operated stores while expanding to several hundred franchised locations over the coming years.

In parallel, the company is investing in automated noodle kiosks powered by smart cooking technology. These unmanned systems can prepare fresh meals within seconds and are designed for deployment in hospitals, schools, highway rest stops, and public spaces — representing a new frontier in food retail.

With Malaysia’s internationally recognised halal certification, Faizal Kong is preparing to enter Indonesia and Middle Eastern markets as priority regions. Expansion plans also include Southeast Asia, the United Kingdom, and Turkey, where Muslim consumer demand continues to grow.

The company views halal Chinese cuisine as an underdeveloped global segment with strong long-term potential.

The brand’s origin is closely tied to its founder Faizal, a Chinese Muslim noodle craftsman whose background embodies Malaysia’s multicultural identity. Faizal Kong positions itself not just as a restaurant chain, but as a cultural bridge — bringing Malaysian halal Chinese cuisine onto the international stage.

Under the partnership, Evolve Capital will oversee financial structuring and strategic advisory, including fundraising design, merger and acquisition planning, IPO readiness, and capital optimisation. The firm will evaluate alternative listing pathways in international markets, particularly the United States.

Meanwhile, MCI Capital will provide funding support through its RM250 million Asia IPO Fund, backing the company’s overseas expansion and potential U.S. listing expenses.

Dato’ Cannis Chan , founder and managing partner of MCI Capital stated:

“We see strong fundamentals and growth potential in Faizal Kong. Our Asia IPO Fund exists to help promising Malaysian companies access global capital markets and reinvest that success back into the domestic ecosystem.”

Jerry Chua , founder and CEO of Evolve Capital added:

“We will work closely with the company to evaluate financing and acquisition opportunities, ensuring it enters top-tier global exchanges with a strong foundation.”