KOTA DAMANSARA (July 4): Fraser & Neave Holdings Bhd (F&N) has formed a marketing partnership with McDonald's Malaysia, which will see its 100PLUS products made available at all McDonald's outlets from today.

According to Khalid Alvi, F&N's senior Vice President of group marketing for non-alcoholic beverages, the partnership has been two years in the making and follows a four-month trial at 10 McDonald's outlets in major towns.

100PLUS will be the first F&N product to be served at a quick-service restaurant network in Malaysia, the group said.

When asked about the revenue contribution to F&N expected from the partnership, CEO Lim Yew Hoe said F&N's focus is on making the partnership work and that it is "not the right time to count profitability".

"Maybe we can tell you about the impact to our revenue in two to three years' (time)," Lim said.

F&N said it would also be working with McDonald's on campaigns and promotions to offer customers new menu options, with their favourite pairing of 100PLUS.

These include a special promotion in conjunction with the upcoming SEA Games, for which both 100PLUS and McDonald's are sponsors.

Last year, F&N had pledged RM3 million in sponsorship to both the SEA Games and ASEAN Para Games to be hosted in Malaysia this year.

McDonald's Malaysia has a customer base of 169 million, which is expected to see double digit growth this year, said Azmir Jaafar, managing director and operating partner of McDonald's Malaysia.

"McDonald's Malaysia is aggressively pursuing an expansion plan and has committed to investing RM1.4 billion to double its number of restaurants to 450 nationwide by 2025," he said.