Team Ayaq Kisaq: From side hustle to franchise dreams

What began as a way to earn extra income has blossomed into a larger ambition for Team Ayaq Kisaq, an ice-blended drink stall at the Kampung Melayu Ramadan Bazaar in Air Itam, Penang.

Amidst the bustling Ramadan bazaars, the proprietors of Team Ayaq Kisaq spared a moment to converse with Citizen’s Journal, shedding light on their journey and aspirations.

Balancing day jobs with a passion project

The team, consisting of Amirul Faiz bin Fadzil (33) and Solihin Merican Bin Yahaya Merican (32), established their venture in 2018.

While Amirul works full-time as a senior factory engineer, Solihin, a chief officer, leverages his shore leave to manage the stall during the day.

This dedicated approach allows them to maintain their primary careers while pursuing their passion for creating delicious ice-blended drinks.

Initially conceived as a means to generate additional income, Team Ayaq Kisaq’s aspirations have evolved.

The duo now harbours dreams of expanding their business into a successful franchise, inspired by the growth of local brands like Tealive and Zus.

“We want to help others gain income by selling our brand of ice-blended drinks,” Amirul shared.

The journey began with just two flavours – Coconut Shake and Mango Shake.

This year, with the addition of a new partner, the team expanded their menu to include Thai Tea Milkshake and Green Tea Milkshake, catering to broader customer preferences.

Team Ayaq Kisaq : Maintaining affordability

Team Ayaq Kisaq prioritises keeping their drinks affordable at RM5 each, even amidst rising ingredient costs.

“We enjoy seeing people savour their drinks at a reasonable price,” Amirul explained. Their goal is to continuously grow their customer base and become the “best ice-blended gerai (stall) in town.”

While acknowledging the challenges of rising ingredient costs, particularly for fresh fruits, the team has opted to absorb the impact with a slight profit margin reduction rather than raising prices.

This commitment ensures affordability for their customers.

Learning from initial food waste during the first week of Ramadan, Team Ayaq Kisaq has adapted their approach.

By closely monitoring customer trends, they have optimised their preparation to minimise waste. Leftover drinks are either discounted or brought home for personal consumption.

Team Ayaq Kisaq’s dedication and passion are evident in their story.

Their journey from a side hustle to a franchise dream exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit that thrives during Ramadan bazaars across Malaysia.