“Our long-term plan is to replace Pizza Hut and Domino’s and be the number one pizza brand in Malaysia.”
That’s the ambitious goal of a group of friends who set out to bring a slice of New York to the local food scene.
What started as a home experiment during the Movement Control Order (MCO) has now grown into a thriving business, offering New York-style pizza to pizza lovers across the Klang Valley.
This is the story of Mokky’s Pizza & Coffee, a homegrown brand that aims to be more than just another pizza joint.
A slice of New York at home
Shahmi, affectionately known as Mokky, wasn’t always a pizza maker. His background is in engineering, which he studied in the USA.
However, like many of us during the MCO, he found himself with extra time on his hands. Inspired by his time in the States and armed with YouTube tutorials, he began experimenting with making New York-style pizza at home.
The process was anything but straightforward, but after many trials (and probably a few burnt crusts), he managed to create a pizza that captured the essence of New York—thin, crispy, and generously topped.
“We want to bring this New York-style pizza because in Malaysia not so many pizza shops do this type, and they can be huge and have lots of toppings,” Shahmi, the founder, told Vulcan Post.
With his proof of concept in hand, he was ready to take things to the next level. But turning a home kitchen project into a full-fledged business was no small feat.
This is where his friends came in. Umar, a close friend of Shahmi, took on the challenge of handling the business and management sides of things.
They were soon joined by Zharif, Umar’s partner from a previous venture, who took charge of all construction work, ensuring their pizza outlets would have the right vibe and functionality.
Together, they pooled their resources, and in 2021, they opened the first Mokky’s Pizza outlet in iCity Shah Alam with an initial investment of RM40,000.
A rocky start
Opening the first outlet was a big step, but it didn’t take long for the team to realise that success wasn’t just about having a great product.
The location of their first outlet, iCity Shah Alam, presented unexpected challenges. While the area had its attractions, it wasn’t as accessible as they had hoped, and getting people to visit their shop proved difficult.
They decided to try again, opening a stall in Seksyen 9 Shah Alam. “But it didn’t go as we hoped even though we got a lot of regular customers,” he said.
Despite these setbacks, the team didn’t give up. Instead, they took these experiences as learning opportunities.
It was clear that location was key, and they needed to find the right spot to connect with their audience.
This is when Azfar, Umar’s brother, joined the team. With his experience working as a barista and cafe manager, he brought valuable insights into the food and beverage industry.
Together, they rebranded and opened a new outlet in Bukit Jelutong.
Finding their groove
That move turned out to be a game-changer for Mokky’s Pizza.
This time, they found the right balance between accessibility and ambience, creating a cosy and welcoming space where customers could enjoy their pizzas.
The response was overwhelmingly positive, and they finally started to see the traction they had been hoping for.
Customers loved their New York-style pizzas, and the word began to spread.
Soon after, they opened another outlet in Bukit Tunku.
At Mokky’s Pizza & Coffee, they decided to go beyond just offering great food. They wanted to create a memorable dining experience for every visitor.
Recognising a gap in the market left by larger pizza chains like Pizza Hut, which were shifting more towards takeaways and deliveries, Mokky’s focused on providing a dine-in experience that was perfect for families and friends looking to celebrate and enjoy good food together.
This approach resonated with their customers, who appreciated not only the quality of the pizzas but also the welcoming atmosphere of the restaurant.
A slice for every taste
One thing that sets Mokky’s Pizza apart is their commitment to using high-quality ingredients sourced from local suppliers.
They currently offer 11 different flavours, each carefully crafted to appeal to a wide range of tastes.
Their bestseller, Beef Pepperoni, is a crowd-pleaser, while their signature Alfredo Chicken and Fake Margherita pizzas have developed a loyal following.
What’s even more exciting is their flexibility—customers can opt for a half-and-half pizza, choosing two flavours on one pizza. Sizes range from 12 inches to a whopping 16 inches, perfect for sharing (or not).
And Mokky’s isn’t stopping there. “Our new menu is going to have some Malaysian or traditional flavour soon,” Shahmi said.
On an average day, they sell between 100 to 120 pizzas, with weekends seeing numbers soar to 250 pizzas per outlet.
It’s not uncommon for them to sell out by 8:30PM or 9PM, a testament to the growing popularity of their pizzas.
A collaborative effort
Behind the success of Mokky’s Pizza is a strong team, each member playing a crucial role in the business’s operations.
With around 50 to 60 staff members, including part-timers, they’ve built a solid foundation that allows them to maintain consistent quality and service.
Every founder has a specific role—from managing the business to overseeing construction and handling day-to-day operations—ensuring everything runs smoothly.
Brand awareness is another area they’re focused on. Recently, they collaborated with Pestle & Mortar Clothing to produce Mokky’s Pizza merchandise such as T-shirts and pizza boxes.
“We want our local brand to stand out, working together and producing more innovative things,” he said.
The future is cheesy
Mokky’s Pizza has come a long way since its humble beginnings, but the team has even bigger plans for the future.
“We keep reinvesting our profit back into business,” shared the founder.
Their short-term goal is to have a total of five outlets in the Klang Valley by the end of 2025. “At the same time, perfect our SOPs, systems, and central kitchen to ensure consistent quality,” Shahmi added.
Shahmi said that for becoming the number one pizza brand in Malaysia, “We are inspired by ZUS Coffee, which managed to compete directly with Starbucks, which has been in the market for 20 years plus.”
“In order to achieve that, we are planning to go public in five to six years and open 108 outlets in the Klang Valley area before starting to move to other parts of Malaysia,” he said.
The road ahead is undoubtedly challenging, but Mokky’s team is determined. With their passion for pizza, strong teamwork, and a growing customer base, they’re determined to achieve their ambitious goals.
- You can learn more about Mokky’s Pizza & Coffee here.
- Read other articles we’ve written about Malaysian startups here.
Featured Image Credit: Mokky’s Pizza & Coffee
