This M’sian crispy polo bun brand was getting franchise offers before it even launched

You might recognise Idris Khan as an actor, or perhaps as a model. But not one to be pigeonholed, he’s also an entrepreneur, equipped with an International Business degree. 

To that, he said, “The question I always ask myself is, why not? And why not me?” 

“My passion in entrepreneurship comes from the itch to create, to innovate, to explore, to change and create a positive impact,” he told Vulcan Post. “I will not accept that I came onto this earth and not leave it better than how I came into it.” 

And one way he’s doing that is through his business Roti Polo. 

Polo buns meet croissants

Roti Polo got its start in March 2024, just six months ago. 

As someone who travels a lot, Idris often feels astonished at how there are barely any Malaysian F&B businesses abroad. With Malaysia being known as a food haven, this was a puzzling thing. 

“So, I decided that I need to get into F&B and do my part to introduce Malaysia to the world,” Idris determined. 

His decision to go with Roti Polo started with an internal discussion between his partner, Shyan, and himself. 

“Shyan, who owns a café called Tanned in Publika, suggested the idea of creating polo buns with a croissant base and various fillings,” he said. “She tested the concept at her café to gather customer feedback, and the response was overwhelmingly positive.” 

That’s when the team knew they had found their star product, and Roti Polo was born. 

Idris shared that there’s another partner in the company who oversees the creation of the buns. He is a culinary and baking graduate with extensive training and experience. 

Roti Polo isn’t necessarily authentic to Hong Kong polo buns, but it does pay homage to it. Believing that adapting and localising products is essential for success, Roti Polo’s offerings include many Malaysian flavours such as Pandan Kaya, Curry Chicken, and Rendang Chicken. 

Finding a willing audience

While the initial run at Tanned received good reviews, has the business actually been successful?

“Alhamdulillah, the business has been strong from day one,” Idris proudly shared. “At our launch during the Absolut Food Fest in March, we sold out every few hours, and though we could have sold even more, our kitchen capacity was maxed out.” 

He also added that their first outlet at KL Tower achieved impressive sales in its first month, with continued growth into the second month. 

Idris shared that they invested RM60,000 in total for the initial start-up, and for KL Tower, they achieved RM45,000 in sales in the first month of operation. The growth trend has only continued since then. 

While Idris acknowledged that his celebrity status may have contributed to some of the initial attention, he made it clear to the team from the start that he didn’t want Roti Polo’s success to rely on his public profile. 

“My goal is for the brand to stand on its own, independent of my personal recognition,” he said. “After all, if one day I’m no longer in the spotlight, I don’t want that to affect the business.”

As such, the team is focusing on having the best product, team, and ideas to ensure Roti Polo’s long-term sustainability.

Franchising potentials

With their success, it’s no surprise that Roti Polo has plans for expansion and franchising. 

In fact, the young business has already received numerous offers, including one from Dubai, UAE. 

“While we’re grateful for the strong demand and positive market response, we’re currently holding off on franchising until we’ve fully established and strengthened our brand and company,” Idris said. 

For the remainder of 2024, Roti Polo’s focus will be on opening new locations within their own capacity.

In addition to expansion plans, they also have several short-term and long-term goals for Roti Polo. In the short term, they’re focused on refining their product offerings and enhancing the customer experience at existing locations. 

The team is also working on introducing seasonal and limited-edition flavours to keep the menu fresh and exciting. 

In the bigger picture, the vision is to establish Roti Polo as a beloved brand both locally and internationally. 

“Beyond that, we’re exploring opportunities to diversify our product line and potentially introduce complementary F&B concepts under our parent company,” Idris said. “Ultimately, our goal is to build brands that not only thrive but also evolve with the changing tastes and preferences of our customers.”

With that growth also comes its own set of challenges. This is because the team must ensure they are making the right strategic decisions. 

“When we first launched Roti Polo, we were both surprised and humbled by the overwhelming response, as the business grew faster than we had anticipated or prepared for,” Idris explained. 

For example, from day one, they received numerous franchising offers, even though they were just testing the market. Suddenly, they had to figure out how to develop a franchise model. 

“The challenge has been to seize these opportunities without compromising the sustainability and continuity of Roti Polo’s growth,” Idris said. “Fortunately, we have a strong and brilliant team that has been exceptional in navigating these unexpected developments.” 

Juggling multiple roles

As an actor, model, and entrepreneur, a common question Idris gets asked is how he manages to do it all. 

“There were times when I felt totally burnt out with the responsibilities and I couldn’t perform at my best, not just with work but with my personal life too,” he admitted. “However, it’s important to take breaks when you need it.” 

For him, travelling and working on his overall health is his escape. These things help him refocus and recharge. 

“Ultimately though, I believe it’s important that you have the right people in the right positions to assist you in your vision,” he said. “Once you have this, you don’t need to be micromanaging or constantly checking in.” 

Featured Image Credit: Roti Polo