READ: Management Association of the Philippines' statement on ABS-CBN shutdown

Editor's note: We are publishing in full statements issued by various groups and institutions in support of ABS-CBN Corp., which went off the air on May 5, 2020 following a cease and desist order from the National Telecommunications Commission. The company's franchise expired on May 4, while bills for its franchise renewal, some filed since 2016, continued to languish in Congress.


FULL STATEMENT OF MAP PRESIDENT FRANCISCO ED. LIM ON THE CLOSURE OF ABS-CBN


It’s a sad day for media freedom and the thousands of people and their families who will be adversely affected by the closure of ABS-CBN.

We in the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) had fervently hoped that this day would never come as we, together with other business organizations, strongly urged Congress to consider in a timely and judicious manner the renewal of ABS-CBN’s broadcasting franchise.

We reiterate in the strongest possible terms our plea for Congress to act swiftly, especially at this time when we all must act as one nation for the sake of our country.

Francisco Ed. Lim

MAP President

news.abs-cbn.com

Kuya J to bring Popeyes restaurant to PH

MANILA -- Filipino casual dining chain Kuya J is developing the US fastfood chain Popeyes in the Philippines. 

The 2 firms, in a press statement released through Business Newswire, announced Friday an exclusive master franchise agreement to grow the Popeyes brand locally. 

"We are proud to partner with Popeyes to launch and develop this great brand in the Philippines," said Kuya J Group chairman Lowell Yu as quoted by Business Newswire. 

"The Philippines is a large and growing market, and we are looking forward to serving the high-quality food that Popeyes offers to the country’s more than 100 million people," he added. 

Popeyes, meanwhile, is confident that it will "resonate well with guests in the Philippines," its president Alexandre Santoro said in the same statement. 

"Our partner, Kuya J Group, brings years of local expertise and a keen understanding of consumers in the Philippines," he added. 

Kuya J Group offers popular Filipino dishes like crispy pata, grilled scallops, bulalo, sisig and roast chicken. It has grown to 100 branches in just 2 years after its launch. 

The group also owns and operates concept stores Isla Sugbu Seafood City, Tsay Cheng Chinese Cuisine, Majestic, and the heritage Grand Convention Center of Cebu among others, said Businesswire. 

Popeyes, meanwhile, was founded in New Orleans in 1972. Its menu features spicy chicken, chicken tenders, fried shrimp, and other regional items. 

With some 2,900 restaurants in the US and around the world, Popeyes is among the world’s largest chicken quick service chains. 

The fastfood chain of poultry firm Vitarich group was previously granted a franchise to develop and operate the Popeyes Chicken restaurants in the Philippines. 

American franchiser AFC Enterprises Inc., however, allegedly terminated the development agreement for unspecified reasons, prompting the local company to sue the franchiser for damages in 2001, a Philippine Star report said. 

Last year, Popeyes was acquired by Restaurant Brands International Inc., which also owns Burger King and Tim Hortons.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

How to franchise a foreign brand

MANILA - With the economy booming, never before have more brands wanted to come into the Philippine market.

Every week new foreign franchise brands have been opening, and a question we always get is, what would smaller scale business owners have to do to become master franchisees of foreign brands?

Contrary to popular belief, big conglomerates are not always the top franchise partner of foreign brands, what’s important to them is to find someone who is an able, suitable and willing franchise partner.

Able:
A would-be master franchisee would need sufficient business experience in order to start, grow and run a foreign brand. A good understanding of customer service, marketing and financial & business acumen would be important for a would-be partner. Equally important is of course the ability to fund the capital requirements and get locations.

A foreign brand will look to you to develop multiple locations, and would rely on you to find the right locations for the brand and fund the development of the first few stores. So when evaluating your capital, it is best to ensure that you have enough capital to open a few stores and not just one.

Suitable:
Foreign brands would be looking at someone who can follow the systems they have developed. They would look for someone who can help localize, but still keep the essence of the brand. And as with any partnership, they would look at your values and your company’s values. It is critical that there is a fit in brand values as this would ensure a smoother partnership.

Willing:

Foreign brands would prefer that as the owner and investor, you would be actively participating in the business. They know there’s no substitute to an owner being involved in growing his business and his investment, so they will want to understand how involved you will be. This is the advantage of smaller scale business owners, as oftentimes, acquiring foreign brands is a significant step for your group and will surely merit a lot of your attention and expertise.

If you think you are an able, suitable & willing master franchisee, then do take the next step and pursue a foreign brand. It helps if you show initiative – whether flying to meet the franchisor or already pre-selecting locations and preparing a business plan. In addition, introductions or referrals go a long way, whether getting introduced by a partner, consultant or franchise brokers. Also, make sure you attend franchise shows where foreign brands are participating, as it’s your chance to talk face to face with multiple foreign franchise brands and find the right one for you.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Kris Aquino buys Chowking franchise

MANILA -- She may be among the country's top celebrity endorsers and a hard-working TV talent, hosting the morning show "Kris TV" five days a week, on top of her duties on "The Buzz" and "Aquino & Abunda Tonight."

But actress-host Kris Aquino is still working to ensure the future of sons Joshua Aquino and James "Bimby" Yap Jr.

In her official Instagram account, Aquino revealed that she has decided to buy a franchise of Chowking.



"Future plans' dream about to be fulfilled! I have always believed that with good food from a respected Filipino company, I couldn't go wrong," she wrote in the caption.

Apart from becoming a franchisee, Aquino is also an endorser for the Chinese fast-food chain owned by Jollibee Foods Corp.

She expects to open her restaurant before the end of the year, although it wasn't clear from her post where her Chowking restaurant will be located.

"In getting to know their products, their setup, their 400+ branches and their marketing, I became convinced that it's a good long term investment for my sons and me," she explained.

Aquino said she is current fixing her schedule so she can go on an "immersion" for new store owners.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

ABS-CBN to get franchise of 'The Voice'?

MANILA, Philippines – After ABS-CBN’s big move to franchise the worldwide phenomenal hit “The X Factor,” it seems that the Kapamilya network is also planning to localize another hit American reality talent show.

In an interview with Push.com.ph, television host Robi Domingo revealed he and director Lauren Diyogi had a talk about his future projects and among them is being part of the Philippine franchise of “The Voice.”

“Direk Lauren Dyogi and I had a talk, actually it was such a long talk, umabot ng isang oras and he has plans for me. I’m also eyeing for this project called 'The Voice.' They’re making a franchise here,” Domingo said.

The 22-year-old television host said he is looking forward to doing this because he really watches the American reality show.

"I watch the foreign franchise together with my family. We like watching Ceelo Green, Cristina Aguilera, and Adam Levine,” he said.

“The Voice” invaded Philippine television after Studio 23 aired its second season last March 31.

Studio 23 is a fully owned subsidiary of ABS-CBN Corp.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Binalot, Robinsons Forge Location Partnership

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