MANILA, Philippines — Binalot Fiesta Foods Inc. (BFFI), home of classic Pinoy dishes wrapped in banana leaves, expects to roll out 12 new stores this year for a total of 52 stores as it signed a partnership agreement with Robinsons Malls to be able to get prime locations at cheaper rates.
Under the partnership, Binalot franchisees are to enjoy lower rent, prime location, good relationship with lessor or mall administrator and easy approval on marketing activities initiated by the franchisee.
This was agreed during a meeting between Binalot Business Development Manager Mary Panganiban and Robinsons Category Lease Manager Mike Hilario.
BFFI president Rommel T. Juan said the company has opened 10 branches last year and 12 more this year for a total of 52 stores. BFFI also expects to maintain a steady annual sales growth of 5 percent.
Of the 32 Robinsons shopping malls in the country, BFFI is only present in five and hopes to include more mall in the future. Binalot stores are present in Robinsons Malls in Galleria, Otis, Imus, Metro East and Calasiao, Pangasinan.
Most of its outlets are stand-alone and non-mall based strategically located in the National Capital Region and some parts of Luzon.
Juan also said they intend to reopen its Subic outlet to have a total of seven company-owned stores.
Each outlet, a minimum of 15 square meter has a total investments of P2.5 million inclusive of the P500,000 franchise fee.
Juan said the company has geared up for the year 2012, which is the Year of the Black Water Dragon.
Its black color symbolizes dark and deep water, an omen promising wealth and prosperity only to those brave enough to tame its fierce roar. The dragon’s serpentine head and tail, both linger atop the clouds, as if declaring the unpredictability in the direction of its movement. The forecast says that there is wealth to be made, but be wary of challenges along the way.
“That’s why Binalot faces 2012 with renewed strength, energy and vigor,” Juan said.
Among the most recent partner franchisees to open inside Robinsons Malls is Anna Lim of Robinsons-Otis (Manila) last Nov. 18. The same goes for James Mazo of Robinsons Imus (Cavite) who broke ground last Dec. 8 and Paul Nicolas Castellano of Robinson Metro East last Dec. 22. These three are welcome additions to Binalot stores already operating in several locations. Robinsons Calasiao (Pangasinan) is also set to open under the partnership with franchisee Ruffy Meneses, who incidentally spearheads the expansion into Pangasinan with teritorial and unit franchise agreements signed in Dagupan, Pangasinan last October.
In the past year alone, Binalot’s strong network of stores is reinforced with the addition of new franchises in Jupiter St. Makati, PGH Taft Manila, Marikina, University of Pangasinan, Gaisano Mall, Lyceum Northwestern University, and the abovementioned Robinsons stores.
source: mb.com.ph
