2 hrs ago
Thai Ice Cream Founder Sells Hawell’s Before Becoming Monk
Siripong Akkarasriyuk started a Thai ice cream company called Hawell’s in 1999.
It became popular and grew to 22 shops in three years.
Later, other ice cream companies made exclusive deals with shopping malls, making it harder for Hawell’s to expand.
Most of the company’s shops eventually closed.
Hawell’s returned with one shop in Nonthaburi in 2023.
Siripong is now offering to sell the whole company for about Rs 47 crore.
He says the main reason is not only business difficulties.
He wants to prepare for a simpler life focused on Buddhism and meditation.
He hopes to become a monk in about two years while still wishing for Hawell’s to succeed.
Siripong Akkarasriyuk is offering Hawell’s for 165 million baht, or about Rs 47 crore.
The sale includes land, a factory, machinery, licences, an outlet, the trademark, business know-how and recipes.
Hawell’s expanded to 22 branches after launching in 1999 but later lost locations amid mall competition.
The brand now has one operating standalone outlet in Bang Bua Thong, Nonthaburi, opened in 2023.
Siripong says he plans to sell the company so he can establish a meditation retreat and eventually become a Buddhist monk.
- Who
- Siripong Akkarasriyuk, founder of Hawell’s, is offering to sell the company.
- What
- Hawell’s is being offered for 165 million baht, including its property, operations, brand and recipes.
- Where
- The sale was announced on Facebook; Hawell’s remaining outlet is in Bang Bua Thong, Nonthaburi, Thailand.
- When
- Siripong announced the sale on August 21 and said he has about two years before planning to enter monastic life.
- Why
- Siripong wants to prepare for Buddhist monastic life, establish a forest retreat and devote himself to spiritual practice.
Key facts
- Asking price
- 165 million baht, approximately Rs 47 crore
- Referral fee
- 5 million baht for introducing a buyer who pays the asking price
- Company founded
- 1999
- Peak expansion
- 22 branches within three years of launch
- Current operation
- One operating standalone outlet in Bang Bua Thong, Nonthaburi
- Sale includes
- 2.77 acres of land, an office and factory, machinery, licences, an outlet, trademark, business know-how and ice cream recipes
- Founder’s plan
- To establish a forest retreat and eventually ordain as a Buddhist monk
Quotes
Siripong Akkarasriyuk
Founder of Hawell’s and its announced seller
“The malls consistently replied that they had no space for Hawell's, despite there being several vacant spots left by previous tenants. No matter how many times we inquired, we received the exact same answer.”
NDTV
“Hawell's is not just a business I built; it has been a part of my life and my family's life. Even if one day I choose to walk away from it, I still want to see Hawell's move forward.”
NDTV
Sources
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