About this episode

The episode discusses Manhattan Fish Market's new franchise model and its strategy for growth and reinvention.

Manhattan Fish Market is setting its sights on a comeback by returning to what made the brand memorable in the first place: familiar flavours, accessible seafood and a distinctly Malaysian identity. At Franchise International Malaysia 2026, CEO Deric Yeo and COO Sheikh Imran Iskandar shared how the home-grown halal seafood chain is rediscovering its original DNA while adapting to changing consumer habits. That means bringing back much-loved recipes, introducing Malaysian-inspired flavours and expanding through smaller kiosk and shop-in-shop formats designed for delivery, convenience and lower franchise entry costs. The brand, which once operated across 16 countries, still maintains a presence in markets including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the Maldives, Myanmar and Jordan. Its strategy is clear: strengthen the Malaysian market first, prove the model, then grow into surrounding regions. For aspiring franchisees, the lesson is equally important. International expansion is not about entering every market at once. Build one successful foothold, understand local demand and let strong performance create opportunities in neighbouring countries. Manhattan Fish Market’s next chapter is about…

People in this episode

Guests: Deric Yeo, Sheikh Imran Iskandar

Topics covered

• franchising
• seafood
• business strategy
• Malaysian identity
• consumer habits

Keywords

• franchise
• seafood
• Malaysian cuisine
• business growth
• consumer trends

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Manhattan Fish Market

Places: Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, Jordan

More episodes of The Financial Coconut Podcast

• Why Singapore SMEs Should Invest in Sabah, According to Its New Investment Chief [TBS 62, Sponsored by STTOS] · September 8, 2026 · 32 min
• Are SGX Companies well governed and truly undervalued? [Chills 282] · September 2, 2026 · 50 min
• Why Fixed Income May Matter More In Today’s Market [Chills 281, Sponsored by Aberdeen] · August 26, 2026 · 37 min
• Burnout Doctor broke Bond to pursue Barista FIRE [Chills 280] · August 19, 2026 · 51 min
• How A Singapore Tennis Coach Built A Million-Dollar Portfolio [Chills 279 ft SGWealthJourney] · August 12, 2026 · 41 min
• How Can AI Make You a Better Investor? [Chills 278 ft Tree of Prosperity, Steady Compounding] · August 5, 2026 · 43 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Financial Coconut Podcast podcast page.