ROADSIDE COFFEE STALLS BREW OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS

By Yasmin Ahmad Zukiman

KUALA LUMPUR, March 27 (Bernama) -- The rising popularity of roadside coffee stalls in Malaysia is more than just a pit stop for a caffeine fix.

These humble street set-ups have become a laboratory for young entrepreneurs to experiment with business ideas and brew their own brand identities, offering the same quality experience once reserved for modern cafes in bustling city centres, now at pocket-friendly prices.

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The trend is attracting more young business owners who prefer small stalls due to lower operating costs, flexible locations and the freedom to test new menu ideas.

For coffee entrepreneur Audi Ghazali, 36, his journey began about four years ago when he spotted a demand for quality coffee without the cafe price tag.

Before this, Audi had tried running coffee businesses at several locations around Kuala Lumpur, including small bazaars and parking lots, until he finally settled in Taman Keramat, an area he felt had a loyal community of customers.

“The first two years were all about trying different spots. Sometimes we’d sell at a small bazaar, sometimes in a parking area. Now, I feel more comfortable here in Taman Keramat because people already know us and we have regulars who come to our stall to just ‘heal’ and relax,” he told Bernama.

Audi said that he had previously rented premises at a commercial business area in Wangsa Maju, but the high rental costs pushed him to explore alternatives that would allow the business to continue sustainably.

“I noticed many people preferred a relaxed concept to enjoy their coffee. That’s when I decided to go roadside and get a proper licence from the MPAJ (Ampang Jaya Municipal Council),” he said.

Most of the coffee equipment from his previous shop, including espresso machines, grinders and beverage preparation tools have been repurposed for his roadside stall.

Running the business together with his sister, Aliah Ghazali, he said the stall concept gives them the freedom to experiment with new coffee and try out recipes tailored to customer preference, starting from RM5, and among the most popular drinks at his stall are the Mocha Hazelnut and Spanish Latte MOJ.

In addition to coffee, the stall also serves food like banana spring rolls, carbonara spring rolls, instant noodles, dumplings and loaded fries.

Operating daily from 9.30 pm to 2 am, and it extended until 4 am during Ramadan, Audi said the stall can generate around RM1,000 in sales per day depending on the weather and customer turnout.

He also actively promotes his stall on Instagram via @coffealing_mojcafe, providing updates on new drinks, seasonal menu items and special promotions, which also helps attract new visitors and maintain a loyal customer base.

Another roadside coffee entrepreneur, Hafiz Rahmad, 24, said the small-stall concept provides young people with an opportunity to start a business without incurring high operational costs, such as those associated with running a full cafe.

Operating his stall in Taman Melawati, Hafiz said the roadside location allows for closer customer interaction and a better understanding of their needs.

“When you operate every night, you see people stopping by for a short while after work, relaxing with a coffee before heading home. Some come with partners or children to spend time,” he said.

Hafiz added that the open and informal environment of roadside coffee stalls also makes them a local community gathering point as most of his patrons are night-shift workers, food delivery riders and university students seeking a late-night resting spot.

Besides coffee, he also offers non-coffee options like matcha, milkshake and tea to cater to diverse tastes.

For Hafiz, the flexible business concept allows him to adjust both the menu and operating hours according to demand, creating a model that combines affordability, creativity and community engagement.

-- BERNAMA