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Halal franchises in Malaysia 2026, ranked by what it really costs to open one

11 halal-compatible franchises that publish their entry cost, from RM85,000 for a maths centre to RM1 million for a Marrybrown, with fees and JAKIM status checked.

SIM DeskUpdated 29 Oct 20267 min

A bright, empty new shop unit with a light oak counter and potted plants in morning sun

The short answer

We checked more than 40 franchise brands in Malaysia on 28 and 29 October 2026. Only 11 halal-compatible brands publish, with their halal status confirmed, what it costs to open an outlet. Sorted by the lowest published total investment:

  1. HOME Maths Therapy (maths tuition): from RM85,000 to RM85,500, with a RM5,000 fee (HOME).
  2. Kumon (tuition): RM100,000 to RM150,000 (Kumon Malaysia).
  3. Coolblog (bubble tea kiosks): from RM130,000, with a RM30,000 fee; JAKIM certified (Coolblog).
  4. Genius Aulad (Islamic preschool): RM200,000 to RM300,000, press figure from 2024 (Kosmo).
  5. Smart Reader Kids (preschool and tuition): from RM220,000 (Smart Reader).
  6. Bask Bear Coffee: from RM250,000; JAKIM certified (Bask Bear).
  7. Focus Point (optical): RM300,000 to RM480,000; the only Bursa-listed franchisor here (Focus Point).
  8. Richiamo Coffee: about RM300,000, press figure from 2022 (Utusan).
  9. dobiQueen (self-service laundry): from RM380,000 (dobiQueen).
  10. Tealive (bubble tea): RM400,000 to RM650,000; JAKIM certified (Tealive).
  11. Marrybrown (fast food): RM800,000 to RM1 million, with a RM150,000 fee; JAKIM certified (Marrybrown).

ZUS Coffee does not sell franchises in Malaysia: its franchise page covers other countries only, and Malaysia is not on its list (ZUS Coffee). Mixue does franchise here, with more than 300 local store owners in February 2026 (NST, 9 Sep 2026), but it publishes no cost. The figures you will find online for Mixue come from blogs, not from the brand.

We do not say which franchise to buy. We show what each brand publishes, with its date, score every brand the same way, and say what is missing.

How to read these costs

  • The cost is the brand’s figure, not ours. We copy it as published and give its date. Some pages are old: Tealive’s figure dates from November 2023 and Coolblog’s pages still carry a 2022 copyright.
  • “From” means the cheapest format. Kiosks cost less than mall shops. Rent, location and renovation move the total, and every brand says so.
  • The fee is not always inside the total. Marrybrown lists the franchise fee next to the set-up cost. Ask whether it is included before you compare.
  • Royalties are paid every month. They come as a share of sales (Marrybrown 4% plus 3% for advertising), a flat amount (Coolblog, about RM1,300 a month) or a charge per student (HOME, RM20 per active client). Most brands do not publish them at all.
  • Some brands publish profit or payback forecasts. We leave them out. A forecast is not a fact, and none of them has been checked by anyone independent.

The rules in 2026

Franchise Act 1998

The Act was amended in 2020 and the changes took effect in 2022 (Legal 500 Malaysia guide, 2025).

  • The franchisor registers first. A franchisor must register with the Registrar of Franchises before it offers a franchise (section 6). A company that does not can be fined up to RM250,000 for a first offence. Registration lasts five years.
  • You register too. A franchisee registers within 14 days of signing.
  • Documents before you sign. The franchisor must give you its disclosure document and the draft agreement at least 10 days before you sign (section 15).
  • Cooling-off. The agreement must give you at least 7 working days to cancel (section 18).
  • How to check. Registration runs through KPDN’s MyFEX 2.0 portal. The portal did not respond when we checked on 28 and 29 October 2026, so we could not confirm any brand’s registration. Ask the franchisor for its registration number and check it yourself before you sign.

Halal certification

  • Voluntary, but claims are policed. No law requires a food business to hold JAKIM certification; JAKIM itself calls the certificate voluntary. Claiming halal status falsely is an offence under the Trade Descriptions (Definition of Halal) Order 2011, with fines of up to RM5 million for a company (FMT/Bernama, 12 Jan 2019).
  • Certificates cover premises, not brands. A brand being certified does not make your outlet certified. Richiamo said in December 2025 that only three of its branches held JAKIM certificates, and that each branch owner applies separately (Utusan). Mixue reported more than 100 certified outlets in 2025, out of a much larger network (Bernama, 11 Dec 2025).
  • How to check. JAKIM’s public directory at halal.gov.my lets anyone search by company name and category. For food outlets, choose “Premis Makanan”. The directory lists the certificate holder and each certificate’s expiry date. We searched it for every food brand on this page.

How we score

The SIM score, out of 10, measures how much you can check before you pay anything. It is not a verdict on the business. Five tests, each worth 2 points:

  • Offer documented. The brand publishes a live franchise page with its terms (2), or the offer only appears in the press (1).
  • Franchise Act registration confirmed. The Registrar or a Bursa filing confirms it (2), or only the brand says so (1). Because MyFEX was down, no brand reaches 2.
  • Total investment published. On the brand’s own page (2), or only in the press (1).
  • Outlet count dated. A count less than 12 months old (2), or an older or undated one (1).
  • Halal certification confirmed. JAKIM’s directory lists the operating company and the chain says it is certified (2), or only some outlets are (1). Tuition, preschool, optical and laundry businesses serve no food, so we score them on the other four tests and scale the result to 10.

Marrybrown scores highest among the food brands (8): it publishes every term and gave Bernama a current outlet count in October 2026. HOME Maths Therapy scores highest overall (8.8) because it itemises its costs and dates its network. Nobody paid to appear on this page, and we take no commission.

FAQ

What is the cheapest halal franchise in Malaysia? Among brands that publish a cost, HOME Maths Therapy, from about RM85,000 for a maths centre. In food and drink, Coolblog, from RM130,000 for a kiosk. Cheaper packages exist, but we found none whose cost is published by the brand or a newspaper.

Can I open a ZUS Coffee franchise in Malaysia? No. ZUS runs its Malaysian outlets itself and offers master franchises abroad only (ZUS Coffee).

How much does a Mixue franchise cost in Malaysia? Mixue has not published a figure. It franchises in Malaysia and has more than 300 local store owners, but every cost you will see online comes from blogs. Ask Mixue for its disclosure document, which the law requires it to give you before you sign.

Is every outlet of a halal-certified brand certified? Not always. JAKIM certifies premises one by one. Check the outlet’s own certificate in the JAKIM directory, and if you become a franchisee, ask who applies for and pays for yours.

How do I check that a franchisor is registered? Ask for its registration number and check it on KPDN’s MyFEX 2.0 portal. The law requires registration before any offer, and the franchisor must give you its disclosure document 10 days before you sign.

Does this page cover the Franchise Expo? No. Franchise Expo Malaysia takes place in Kuala Lumpur every July, and brands often give costs there that they do not publish online. We only list costs that are published, and will add any brand that publishes one.

What we do not rank

  • Brands that publish no cost. Mixue, Laundrybar, Cleanpro, Q-dees, Little Caliphs, OldTown White Coffee, Secret Recipe, Kopi Saigon and Mr Tuk Tuk all offer franchises or licences but publish no total investment. Laundrybar says it charges no franchise fee and no royalty; Cleanpro says it is registered on MyFEX 2.0. Neither publishes what an outlet costs.
  • Brands whose halal status we could not fully confirm. D’Tandoor publishes its costs, but we found a JAKIM certificate for only one of its companies and could not confirm that no outlet serves alcohol. It will be added once both are checked.
  • Brands that do not franchise in Malaysia. ZUS Coffee and 4Fingers say so on their franchise pages. We found no Malaysian franchise offer from Kenangan Coffee, The Chicken Rice Shop or Inside Scoop.
  • Anything that is not halal-compatible. We leave out brands that sell alcohol or pork, gambling, and all financial, insurance, credit and pawnbroking franchises.
  • Profit and payback. Several brands forecast sales or returns. We do not publish forecasts. If a cost is not published by the franchisor or a newspaper, it is not on this page.

Before you sign anything, get the disclosure document, check the registration and the halal certificate, and have a lawyer read the agreement.

Spotted an error, or a brand we should add? Write to the editors: we correct within 48 hours and date every change.

  1. HOME Maths TherapyEducation (maths tuition)RM85k–RM86kNo food served8.8

    The lowest published entry cost in this list. HOME breaks down its RM85,500 starter package line by line: renovation RM41,250, furniture and appliances RM17,445, licences RM9,575, equipment RM4,230, training RM10,000 and the RM5,000 franchise fee. It asks franchisees for a diploma and a psychometric test, and says some centres closed when it moved from home-based centres to a franchise system.

    Franchise fee
    RM5,000 for 5 years
    Royalty
    RM20 per active client per month, plus RM2 advertising and promotion per client (from the page's projection table) (not confirmed)
    Space
    Minimum 1,400 sq ft (shoplot)
    Outlets
    over 267 outlets in Malaysia & Indonesia
    Franchise Act
    Brand claim only: 'Recognized by the Ministry of Education (KPM) & Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs (KPDN)'; no MyFEX number published. Register not consultable on 28-29 Oct 2026.
    Halal
    Not applicable: tuition centre, no food served

    Missing: Franchisor company name; MyFEX registration number; Malaysia-only outlet count (267 includes Indonesia).

    HOME Maths Therapy franchise page

  2. KumonEducation (maths and English tuition)RM100k–RM150kNo food served7.5

    Kumon recruits instructors rather than investors: Malaysian citizens aged 25 to 45 with a bachelor's degree, working full time in the centre ('not a passive investment'). Its capital figure includes the franchise fee, renovation and rental. An older press figure of RM70,000 is out of date and no longer online.

    Franchise fee
    Not published separately (included in the capital figure, per Kumon's FAQ)
    Royalty
    Not published
    Space
    Not published
    Outlets
    200+ centres nationwide
    Franchise Act
    Not confirmed (no public statement found; register not consultable on 28-29 Oct 2026)
    Halal
    Not applicable: tuition centre, no food served

    Missing: Franchise fee and royalty as separate amounts; Premises size; MyFEX registration.

    Kumon Malaysia franchise pageKumon Malaysia FAQ: 'between RM 100,000 to RM 150,000 ... inclusive of franchise fees, renovation and rental'

  3. CoolblogDrinks and desserts (bubble tea kiosks)from RM130kJAKIM certified7.0

    The cheapest food and drink franchise we found with published terms: a RM30,000 fee, a start-up cost from RM130,000 and a five-year term. Coolblog publishes a flat monthly royalty rather than a share of sales, but its two franchise pages give two different amounts. Its pages still carry a 2022 copyright.

    Franchise fee
    RM30,000 per unit
    Royalty
    RM1,357 a month (investment page) or RM1,280 a month with no advertising fee (FAQ): the two official pages disagree (not confirmed)
    Space
    100 to 1,200 sq ft (kiosk, shoplot or mall)
    Outlets
    over 290 stores in Malaysia
    Franchise Act
    Not confirmed (no claim on the brand's pages; register not consultable)
    Halal
    JAKIM certified: the brand says 'certified halal by JAKIM/JAIN' since 2010, and JAKIM's directory lists Coolblog Enterprise Sdn Bhd (Premis Makanan) with certificates valid to 31/10/2028

    Missing: A 2025-2026 outlet count; Which royalty figure applies; MyFEX registration.

    Coolblog: what is the investmentCoolblog franchise FAQCoolblog halal policy

  4. Genius AuladEducation (Islamic preschool)RM200k–RM300kNo food served3.8

    An Islamic preschool chain that grew mainly through franchising. Its only published cost comes from a 2024 newspaper interview with the founder, not from the brand's own site, so it is two years old. (not confirmed)

    Franchise fee
    Not published
    Royalty
    Not published
    Space
    Not published
    Outlets
    82 branches through franchising plus 13 owned by head office
    Franchise Act
    Not confirmed
    Halal
    Not applicable: preschool, scored without the halal test

    Missing: An official franchise page with terms; Fee, royalty, premises size; A 2026 branch count.

    Kosmo, 13 May 2024

  5. Smart Reader KidsEducation (preschool and English tuition)from RM220kNo food served6.3

    One of the largest education networks by centre count. It publishes a starting investment and a recommended premises size, but no fee or royalty.

    Franchise fee
    Not published
    Royalty
    Not published
    Space
    1,600 to 3,000 sq ft
    Outlets
    450+ centres nationwide
    Franchise Act
    Not confirmed
    Halal
    Not applicable: education centre, scored without the halal test

    Missing: Franchise fee and royalty; Upper end of the investment; MyFEX registration.

    Smart Reader franchise page

  6. Bask Bear CoffeeCoffeefrom RM250kJAKIM certified7.0

    The sister brand of Tealive, aimed at mall locations. It publishes an entry point and a store size but no fee or royalty. Its latest dated outlet count is the 100th store in September 2023. Loob, the parent group, shelved its stock-market listing in 2026, so its accounts are not public.

    Franchise fee
    Not published
    Royalty
    Not published
    Space
    In-line store 500 to 700 sq ft, grade A malls
    Outlets
    100th outlet opened
    Franchise Act
    Not confirmed. The page offers a 'partnership program' and does not use the word franchise (not confirmed)
    Halal
    JAKIM certified: JAKIM's directory lists BB Coffee Sdn Bhd (Premis Makanan), 54 records for 'bask bear', certificates valid to 15/12/2028; the brand publishes a halal policy page

    Missing: Fee and royalty; A 2026 outlet count; Whether the partnership is a franchise under the Act.

    Bask Bear business pageThe Star, 27 Sep 2023JAKIM halal directory

  7. Focus PointOptical retail (eyewear)RM300k–RM480kNo food served6.3

    The only franchisor in this list whose parent is listed on Bursa Malaysia, so its group accounts are public. Its SightSavers budget concept starts at about RM300,000 with no renovation cost. An optical outlet needs a registered optometrist or optician, which the franchisee must recruit.

    Franchise fee
    Not published
    Royalty
    Not published
    Space
    Not published
    Outlets
    more than 60 franchise outlets across Malaysia and Brunei
    Franchise Act
    Not confirmed (no statement on the franchise page)
    Halal
    Not applicable: optical retail, scored without the halal test

    Missing: Fee and royalty; A 2026 franchise outlet count from the annual report (not confirmed).

    Focus Point franchise pageThe Star, 5 Feb 2026: plans for 15 new company-run optical outlets and five franchise stores

  8. Richiamo CoffeeCoffeefrom RM300kPartly certified5.0

    A local coffee brand that grows through licensees, many of them cooperatives. Its only published cost is a 2022 press figure for cooperatives. In December 2025 the company said branch certification was encouraged but not compulsory, because its ingredients come from halal-certified suppliers.

    Franchise fee
    Not published
    Royalty
    Not published
    Space
    Not published
    Outlets
    220 outlets across Malaysia
    Franchise Act
    Not confirmed. The brand sells licences ('Richiamo licensee partner') (not confirmed)
    Halal
    Partly certified: three branches held JAKIM certification in December 2025 and others were applying; JAKIM's directory lists Richiamo Coffee Sdn Bhd (one premises, to 31/10/2027) and two Richiamo manufacturing companies (food products)

    Missing: An official cost on the brand's page; Fee and royalty; Halal status of each branch.

    Richiamo licensing pageUtusan Malaysia, July 2022Utusan Malaysia, Dec 2025 (halal)

  9. dobiQueenSelf-service laundryfrom RM380kNo food served6.3

    The only laundry brand we found that publishes an entry cost. Its page also shows revenue and return forecasts; we do not reproduce them.

    Franchise fee
    Not published
    Royalty
    Not published
    Space
    Not published (separate location-criteria page)
    Outlets
    more than 10 outlets in Klang Valley
    Franchise Act
    Not confirmed
    Halal
    Not applicable: laundry, scored without the halal test; no Muslim-friendly or halal-detergent claim found

    Missing: Fee and royalty; Shop size; A dated outlet count; What the asterisk on the cost covers.

    dobiQueen franchise page

  10. TealiveDrinks (bubble tea)RM400k–RM650kJAKIM certified7.0

    Malaysia's largest bubble tea chain. Its investment range sits on a support page last changed in November 2023, so it may be out of date. Loob shelved its Bursa listing in 2026, so no 2026 filing gives an outlet count.

    Franchise fee
    Not published
    Royalty
    Not published
    Space
    Not published
    Outlets
    831 Tealive stores
    Franchise Act
    Not confirmed
    Halal
    JAKIM certified: JAKIM's directory lists Loob Integrated Sdn Bhd under 'tealive' (178 records, certificates valid to 31/12/2028); JAKIM confirmed Tealive's certificate in 2019

    Missing: Fee and royalty; A 2026 Malaysian outlet count; A current investment figure.

    Tealive support article (modified 27 Nov 2023)Malay Mail, 5 Sep 2019JAKIM halal directory

  11. MarrybrownFast foodRM800k–RM1mJAKIM certified8.0

    The most expensive entry in this list and the most complete set of published terms among the food brands: fee, start-up cost, royalty, advertising levy, premises size and an 8-year term. Marrybrown told Bernama in October 2026 that it runs around 300 outlets in Malaysia and plans 30 more by 2027.

    Franchise fee
    RM150,000 per unit
    Royalty
    4% of gross sales, plus 3% of gross sales for advertising
    Space
    1,500 to 3,000 sq ft (shop lot or mall)
    Outlets
    around 300 outlets in Malaysia (around 500 in 16 countries)
    Franchise Act
    Not confirmed (its blog explains that registration is mandatory but does not state its own number)
    Halal
    JAKIM certified: JAKIM's directory lists Marrybrown Sdn Bhd (Premis Makanan) with certificates valid to 15/10/2028; the brand displays a halal mark

    Missing: Whether the fee is inside the start-up cost; MyFEX registration.

    Marrybrown franchise opportunitiesBernama, 17 Oct 2026JAKIM halal directory

Total investment to open one outlet, as published by each franchisor or reported by the press, checked 28–29 October 2026. Score out of 10 on documented facts only (offer, Franchise Act, published cost, outlet count, halal status). Tap a brand for fees and gaps. Nobody paid to appear.

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