Solaria is a restaurant chain in Indonesia well-known for its “family restaurant” concept. It offers a wide selection of Indonesian, Asian, and modern fusion dishes at affordable prices. Its consistent taste has also contributed to Solaria’s popularity across various customer segments.
Understandably, many people wonder whether they can run a Solaria business through a partnership system. So, how exactly does Solaria operate as a business? Let’s take a closer look!
Is Solaria Available as a Franchise?
With Solaria’s rising popularity, many entrepreneurs are eager to join through a franchise system. However, Solaria does not offer franchising or any form of business partnership.
All Solaria outlets that you find in various cities are owned and operated internally by the head company under PT Sinar Solaria. This means that there is no opportunity for external parties to purchase the business rights or open their own branch under the Solaria brand.
This policy has been in place since the brand was founded. Solaria chooses to retain full control over operations, product quality, and service standards. This enables the company to ensure that every branch provides a consistent experience in both food taste and restaurant ambiance.
Why Doesn’t Solaria Offer a Franchise?
There are several reasons why Solaria does not adopt a franchising model. This decision is closely tied to the company’s success in maintaining its quality and reputation over the years.
Solaria aims to ensure that all operational processes remain under company supervision. If franchising were allowed, maintaining consistent quality would be more challenging because each outlet would be managed by different parties. The risks of inconsistent taste, hygiene, and service could increase significantly.
Moreover, Solaria’s business model retains full control over every process — from raw material sourcing to distribution. With an internal system, the company can maintain price stability, ingredient quality, and operational efficiency. These advantages would be difficult to sustain under a more flexible franchising model.
In addition, Solaria prefers to expand independently and gradually. This strategy has proven effective in protecting the brand image and avoiding mismanagement cases commonly associated with franchise failures.
With all these considerations, Solaria remains firm that all outlets will only be operated under PT Sinar Solaria.
Solaria’s History
Behind Solaria’s success with more than 200 outlets, many people might wonder how it all began. So, who owns Solaria? The journey of Solaria started in the early 1990s, led by an entrepreneur named Aliuyanto.
In 1991, he opened the first Solaria outlet in a small shophouse in Cikarang, Bekasi. At that time, he hired only four employees and operated with a very limited initial capital.
Despite the humble beginning, the business concept was clear. He understood that Indonesians tend to prefer food with familiar flavors, affordable prices, and large portions. This principle later became the foundation for developing Solaria’s menu.
Over time, Solaria began gaining recognition. By the mid-1990s, Solaria outlets started appearing in shopping centers. Dishes such as fried rice, kwetiau, ayam rica, and noodle varieties became customer favorites because they matched the preferences of the majority of Indonesians.
Not only does Solaria excel in taste, but it also survived difficult periods, including the unstable economic conditions of the late 1990s. With consistent attention to food quality and service, Solaria has grown into one of the largest family restaurant chains in Indonesia.
Solaria’s Business Strategy
Solaria’s success is supported by several strategic efforts. Here are the key business strategies that help Solaria stand out in a competitive market:
1. Understanding Trends and Target Market
Solaria is highly responsive to consumer trends. They know that Indonesian customers prefer local flavors, generous portions, and reasonable prices.
2. Attractive and Varied Promotions
Affordable pricing alone is not enough to secure customer loyalty. Solaria regularly offers attractive promotions, ranging from discounts on selected items to economy combo packages. This effectively encourages repeat orders and strengthens brand presence.
3. Consistent Taste
All Solaria outlets follow the same operational standards — including ingredients, cooking processes, and presentation. Consistent taste ensures customers feel confident choosing Solaria regardless of which outlet they visit.
4. Supportive Work Environment
Solaria provides regular training, clear career advancement opportunities, and a positive working atmosphere. This ensures that employees deliver service aligned with company standards.
5. Strong Competitor Analysis
Solaria operates within a competitive landscape alongside various fast-food restaurants. The company studies the strengths of its competitors — such as chicken fast food chains or trendy Japanese eateries — allowing Solaria to refine its menu, promotions, and services to stay competitive in a rapidly changing market.
Solaria’s business opportunities and strategies provide valuable insights into how the company became one of the most popular restaurant brands in Indonesia. Although Solaria does not offer franchise opportunities, there is much to learn from their approach to understanding market behavior, maintaining quality, and ensuring consistent business development.
However, starting a culinary business like Solaria requires careful planning, capital, and strong execution. For business owners who are just getting started and require financial support, BFI Finance offers funding solutions to help you turn your business dreams into reality. With collateral such as a Motorcycle BPKB, Car BPKB, or House/Shop Certificate, you can apply for financing to obtain the capital needed to grow your business.
As a financing institution with over 40 years of experience, BFI Finance has a strong track record in supporting business development. All services are officially licensed and supervised by the Financial Services Authority (OJK), ensuring compliance with regulations.
So, what are you waiting for? Apply for financing now and turn your business dreams into reality — because there is always a way with BFI Finance!
