Looking for a chill time with your friends? Head to Penang’s La Chica Mexican Grill, or Rockafellers on Changkat Bukit Bintang. In the mood for a more sophisticated experience? Try the elevated Indian cuisine at Frangipaani in Bukit Damansara, or the inviting fusion indulgences of Luca at Bangsar Shopping Centre.
Then maybe pop by WOW in Genting Highlands to wet your whistle. The quintessential Malaysian conundrum of “what to eat ah?” has never been so fun to answer!
While each of these outlets offers very different gastronomical experiences, The Olive Tree Group founder and managing director Leslie Gomez points out two things they have in common.
“When people come to eat with you, they only expect good service and good food. You can spend a million dollars on your business, but if you don’t have these, there’s no point. These things define you.”
The straight-talking Gomez recently spoke with FMT Lifestyle at Te Amo, the Group’s newest establishment on Changkat Bukit Bintang. Its name is Spanish for “I love you”, and there’s certainly a lot to love about this bar, from lush cocktails to chic contemporary décor.
According to him, every aspect of his businesses has been shaped by putting himself in a customer’s shoes. His mission, Gomez said, is to provide unparalleled gourmet experiences.
“I study the demographics of a place and ask, what does it need? Then I look through a customer’s point of view. What makes you comfortable? Is it the food, the music, the atmosphere? We try our best to fulfil that.”
Born in Goa, India, Gomez started his career in the hotel industry with the prominent Indian chain The Taj for four years. From there, he journeyed across the sea, working with a Malaysian hospitality group from 1999-2003.
Despite doing well, he soon felt the urge to create something he could call his own. In 2003, he opened the (now closed) Pride of India restaurant in Desa Sri Hartamas, KL. Gomez calls this one of the greatest risks he has ever taken.
“In the first three years, I kept wondering, did I make a big mistake? Things were tough at the start, we were struggling to get by, just breaking even.
“I had to keep reminding myself, business is full of ups and downs. It’s not always going to be smooth sailing. You have to keep strong and keep going.”
Thankfully, Gomez and his team persevered, and The Olive Tree Group soon took root and sprouted. Today, they employ over 500 staff across KL, Genting Highlands, Langkawi, Johor, Melaka and Penang. In fact, Changkat Bukit Bintang plays host to eight of their outlets.
The Group has also picked up many accolades over the years, including the BrandLaureate Brand of the Year Award 2022; the SME 100 Awards Fast-Moving Companies Award 2019; and an Outstanding Category in F&B Industry 2019 honour at that year’s Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards.
And the company only continues to blossom today: Gomez revealed they would soon be bringing the Frangipaani brand to Bali next month or in September. There were also expansion plans for Ipoh, Sabah and Sarawak, as well as Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Location, he added, is a critical factor in deciding their new ventures: places that are tourist-centric or heavy in human traffic are preferable.
While business is currently good, Gomez stresses the importance of not taking things for granted. If there is anything over two decades of experience in the industry has taught him, it is to always improve yourself and never be complacent.
“Social media has gained a lot of traction today, and the smallest things can carry a lot of weight,” he said. “This is both good and bad, as anything can be uploaded and shared in a matter of seconds.
“So, you need to always be at the top of your game. Even if your service is at its peak, it can always improve. We’ve been here for 20 years, but there is always room to be better.
“And by the grace of God,” he concluded, “I hope we keep being around for a long time.”
Get more information on The Olive Tree Group via its website, and also on Facebook and Instagram.