When Founder Chairman Tony Bohoran established Raffles in 1999, he envisioned building a brand that delivers unparalleled excellence that stands above the competition. Twenty four years have passed since then, and Raffles celebrates this exciting milestone in its history. Today, the brand has set the standard in Sri Lanka’s banquet and catering industry, serving a clientele of corporates and food connoisseurs. They also offer industrial catering solutions, operating cafeterias in some of the most prestigious establishments in the country.

Throughout these years, Raffles has proven its resilience, overcoming some of the most challenging events in modern Sri Lankan history, including the unprecedented economic crisis that the nation is still recovering from.

“The past year was a year of resilience for us,” shared Tan Bohoran, a member of Raffles’ Board of Directors. “Our primary aim was to demonstrate remarkable resilience and achieve a robust rebound, which we have. Despite the challenges the food and beverage sector has faced, Raffles has sustained its business operations successfully, undergoing a strong turnaround at the end of our 2023 financial year.”

He added that Cafe by Raffles has also been a notable success, gaining popularity since its introduction at the height of the recent pandemic. “Now, it is a favoured service for many, including corporates in the financial and IT segment, which include some of the biggest brands in Colombo.” 

Looking back 23 years

For Tony Bohoran, seeing his vision unfold in reality has been a joy that words fail to describe. Starting from a modest 500-square-foot space with just one employee, Raffles has grown to a workforce of 600 skilled and dedicated employees. Their present headquarters, Raffles Residence, is an impressive structure located at Mirihana, Nugegoda, which includes two luxurious banquet halls, one capable of hosting 300 guests and 100 in the other.

“This is all thanks to our commitment to never stop innovating, delivering the best for our customers and continuously refining what we do and offer,” he said. “Dedication, professionalism, excellence, quality and great value are the core of everything that we do, and it is why we’ve been able to adapt and thrive in this competitive industry despite the challenges of maintaining long-lasting customer relationships.”

Tony’s passion for constant innovation has led to the expansion of Raffles’ scope to many new bold ventures. One such result is Teaser, one of the most popular ready-to-drink beverages in the market today. But Raffles’ exploration of new markets and opportunities continues.

The journey forward

In fact, ‘Exploration’ would easily fit as Raffles’ theme stepping into the year 2024, which by next November, will mark 25 years of Raffles. This bold journey of exploration will take the company into a new chapter, exploring new segments and spaces in the hospitality industry where Raffles has not had a presence before, particularly in hospitality management, with a keen focus on hotels and restaurants.

Raffles’ newly appointed CEO, Upul Gamage will take the helm in navigating this new direction for the brand and company.  He brings more than four decades of experience and a vast repertoire of skills spanning multiple disciplines in the hospitality industry. His appointment is a strategic move that aligns with the brave new direction for Raffles.

“Joining Raffles in this momentous point of its journey is a pleasure, and I look forward to working with everyone to take the success it has achieved to even greater heights,” he expressed. “Food and Beverage operations often have a low life expectancy, and 24 years of Raffles is a testament to the dedication and hard work of all current and former team members, especially the Directors, who have played a hands-on role in operations.”

“Raffles’s commitment to excellence has been behind this longevity and sustainability, and as we embark on a new phase, Raffles will continue to improve on quality and efficiency, enhancing current business segments and profitability. We will also enter the hospitality industry by developing our management capability. Our first step will be in a 40-room hotel in a captivating and scenic place at Dambulla. The identity Raffles has built over the years will be a deciding factor in our market positioning and ability to emerge as a competitive new entrant to the industry. The future looks exciting for Raffles, and I’m glad I can be a part of building that today.”

With this brave new journey, Raffles’ future and the legacy Tony Bohoran has built over the years will continue to grow and take on new adventures. He has previously hinted at his interest in taking the company public, pursuing an IPO and finally entering the capital markets. Tan confirmed this interest, and it may be that this milestone might not be very far off.

While undertaking brave new directions and adventures, Raffles will continue, loyal to the core values and vision Tony built when he first began bringing his vision to reality in 1999. The brand will continue to soar high, setting the standard throughout the hospitality industry, all while remaining true to its core values, delivering excellence in all things without compromise.