Curly Fries Entrepreneur

[parrot]

Fifteen years ago, you'd be hard pressed to find potatoes anywhere in Udon, except in a very few restaurants and maybe in Makro. I'm not certain, but soon-to-be degaussed brain cells tell me they cost about 50 Baht per kilo.
Today, fresh potatoes, mostly from China, abound in Makro, Tesco, Big C, and most markets. Price, about 30-35 Baht/kilo.

Several year's ago when UD Town Lotus opened, there was a franchise curly fry (potato) vendor near the front of the store. Don't know if the place is still open, but at the time, they did a good business. The place only sold curly fries.......so given the cost of a franchise and rent in a place like Tesco.....in UD Town!, I'd guess you'd have to sell a lot of potatoes to come out with any sort of profit.

For probably a fraction of a fraction of the price of that franchise, a young man and his wife were hunkered down in our weekly fresh market (Kilo 16) selling their version of curly fries. Several kilos of fresh potatoes, a very un-fancy/inexpensive potato curler, a pot of hot oil (portable gas stove), a small table to hold 10 or so varieties of seasoning, a few utensils, and a partner to serve and collect money. No shortage of customers.....mostly the younger generation who'd rather eat a fried potato than a plate of bohn bla ป่นปลา. Cost for the table at the weekly market goes for about 30 baht. Cost for one freshly made curly fry with your choice of seasoning......20 baht.

[rct]

A Belgian style vendor may have potential as they often sell lots of grilled meats and sausages similar to what Thai vendors like, as well as all the varied sauces that make those frites so appealing!

http://www.google.co.th/search?q=Belgiu ... 64&bih=413

[rct]

Also a Pita restuarant would be nice and probably very profitab le, Le Perroquet in Brussels has it just right, including choice of four sauces!

http://www.google.co.th/search?q=brusse ... 64&bih=413

http://www.cityplug.be/en/Brussels/U4SK ... oquet.html