September 19,

2012

Philippine Daily Inquirer

August 11, 2012
Source: Inquirer

Heroes and volunteers. Rescue teams, police and hospital workers went above and beyond the call of duty to come to the aid of those in need, logging in long hours and setting aside their own comforts and event safety to serve other people. Volunteers wasted no time, springing to action even as the disaster was still unfolding. They braved the strong rain and the flooded streets to get to relief centers, to cook meals, to pack goods, to get people to safety, to let the hapless know they weren’t forgotten. Those who couldn’t leave their homes raided their closets and pantries for things they could donate and used the Internet to disseminate important information. Donations have been given and pledges have been made even by people outside the country. We wish we had all their names so we could honor them. They are all heroes.

The Filipino Spirit. It really is unsinkable.

Twitter. The social networking site played an important role in relief and rescue efforts during the disaster. Because of Twitter, people were alerted, prodded to help; they knew where to go, where to send relief goods, who to rescue and which roads were flooded. There is a lot of power in 140 characters.

Eco-friendly relief. There’s a more conscious effort now to make sure that the relief goods sent out are eco-friendly. People are trying to use biodegradable or reusable bags for packing goods. A lot have also chosen to pledge Binalot meals (visit http://binalot.multiply.com/collection/7/BINALOT-Pledges). Providing relief for those affected by the flood is a great thing. But we also need to do everything we can to avoid another disaster–and one step is not adding to our country’s already big garbage problem.

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August 4, 2012
Source: PhilStar

The Franchise Asia Philippines 2012 held at the SMX Convention Center last July 25-29 was a resounding success.

This was a two-day conference/seminar and two-day expo event that the Philippine Franchise Asia (PFA) group mounted, coming fresh from their success at the World Franchise Confederation and Asia Pacific Confederation which the PFA organized and the Philippines hosted and where franchise leaders from 40 countries participated. This event validated our claim that the Philippines is Asia’s franchising hub.

Judging from the crowds that gathered at the venue for four days, they must surely have surpassed their target of 50,000 visitors at the Expo. More importantly, the event sparked a greater interest in franchising among our people, thanks to the undying efforts of the franchise advocates led by PFA Chairman Emeritus Samie Lim and chairman Robert Trota who both share the advocacy of spreading the good news about franchising and entrepreneurship.

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July 30, 2012
Manila

Bulletin

July 29, 2012
Source: ManilaStandardToday.com

Entrepreneur Rommel Juan, founder and chief executive of homegrown Binalot Fiesta Foods Inc., is taking his ultimate Filipino fastfood venture to the next level, or more appropriately to the next street.

Binalot, a trail-blazer in the fastfood industry, plans to sell its wrapped local meals onboard vans, a concept inspired by the movable food trucks in the US.

Juan is introducing the Binalot Food Van as a new franchise model. He says the concept will be good for agriculture and the environment.

“Support banana farmers while sustaining the environment for our kids,” he says, in encouraging entrepreneurs to embrace his new franchise model.

In 1996, Juan popularized the old Filipino tradition of wrapping meals with banana leaves, a method that retains the smell and flavor of local favorites such as adobo, bistek, tapa, tocino, sisig, longganisa and salted egg with tomatoes, on top of rice.

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July 27, 2012
Source: Ph.Yahoo

By Alexander Villafania

MAKATI CITY, METRO MANILA—Local fast food company Binalot Fiest Foods Inc. is expanding its operations outside fixed establishments to one that is highly mobile.

Based on the food vans used in the United States, the Binalot Food Van is also akin to the “jolli-jeep” concept popularized by local food vendors in Makati City.

Binalot’s food van is actually a pickup truck with its back converted into a mini-kitchen. The sides and rear of the pickup open to reveal the kitchen as well as the counter where patrons can get their orders and eat. The van also carries some chairs and tables for dining patrons.

The vehicle is a Mitsubishi pickup with the conversion done by local builder Centro Manufacturing Corp.

According to Binalot president Rommel Juan, the food van will have the same offerings as those in traditional establishments. The food will also remain wrapped in fresh banana leaves, among the aspects that made Binalot popular.

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July 26, 2012
Source: local.ph

MAKATI CITY, METRO MANILA – Local fast food company Binalot Fiesta Foods is expanding its operations from being a fixed establishment to a mobile food provider through a food van.

Based on the popular food trucks used in the United States, the Binalot Food Van is also akin to the “jollijeep” concept popularized by local food vendors in Makati City.

Binalot’s food van is actually a pickup truck converted into a mini-kitchen. The sides and rear of the pickup open to reveal the kitchen as well as the counter where patrons can get their orders and also to eat.

Binalot’s food van also brings with it some chairs and tables for other patrons.

The vehicle is a Mitsubishi pickup with the conversion done by local builder Centro Manufacturing Corporation.

According to Binalot President Rommel Juan, the food van will have the same offerings as those in traditional establishments. The food will also remain wrapped in fresh banana leaves, popularized by Binalot.

Binalot’s food vans will also carry rice meal staples like adobo, bistek, tapa, tocino, sisig, and longganisa. The food van essentially aims to expand the company’s operation and address specific markets where banana-wrapped food

could have high demand.

Juan noted that there will be pre-approved sites for franchising of the Binalot Food Van, though he expects the food van to have some appeal to areas with few food establishments.

Along with the food van, Juan said that they will also pursue offering a supervised franchising scheme wherein a possible franchisee can allow Binalot to manage their franchisee for them.

This particular service is targeted at overseas Filipino workers who would want to have their own business in the Philippines but have no one to help them manage the operation.

“This service would enable potential franchisees to have the sense of security that their business is being managed well,” Juan said.

July 26, 2012
Source: PHL.PH

MANILA, July 26 (PNA) — The recent robust growth of the Philippine economy, more notably the 6.4 percent first quarter growth earnings in Gross Domestic Product and the recent upgrade in the country’s credit rating, makes the country an attractive option both in foreign and domestic investments.

According to Franchise Guru and AFFI President Butz Bartolome, there are 2,300 companies franchising concepts in the Philippines today; 40 percent non-food and 60 in food industry with the success rate now at 85 percent.

The failure is attributed to proliferation of mediocre franchises.

Despite this, the franchise industry’s growth rate is pegged at 38 percent, an increase compared to last year’s 20 percent.

Binalot Fiesta Foods, Inc. (BFFI) aims to open more stores in more locations by making its franchise packages more affordable and accessible for potential franchisees.

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Source: BusinessWeek Mindanao

In tropical countries like the Philippines, June and July signals the onset of the rainy season. But the rains and the floods are no reason to be gloomy, as the home of the ultimate Filipino fast food experience proves once again why it is called the local fast food trail blazer.

After a triumphant 2011 stint, Binalot Fiesta Foods, Inc. (BFFI) was crowned with the Best Booth Award under Food (12-18sqm) category at the Philippine International Franchise Expo 2011 last September 23 – 25. This year, its steps up the game by presenting its new franchise model, the Binalot Food Van.

Similar to the movable food trucks popular in the US, the Binalot Food Van is a whole store unit and an eco-friendly mobile food solution. Basically, the Food Van is a Binalot store mounted on a trailer. Completely modern and environment friendly, the cab chassis was built by Mitsubishi thru its dealer Peak Motors with the modified body manufactured by local truck body builder Centro Manufacturing Corporation.

The Binalot Food Van will cater to people on the go, perfect for events and outdoor activities. A brainchild of Binalot founder and CEO Rommel Juan, popular Pinoy classics adobo, bistek, tapa, tocino, sisig, longganisa (with salted eggs and tomato) can now be enjoyed wherever and whenever you want it. Also available is Binalot’s new Company Supervision Scheme (CSS) which allows franchisees to manage a franchise by remote control. Binalot will assign its own supervisor for the store and effectively manage the store for the franchisee.

Both of these offerings will make your favorite Pinoy banana wrapped classics closer to you, a testament to Binalot’s commitment in filling that niche of an All Filipino Green quick-serve restaurant.

“After joining different franchise shows and expos, inquiries start arriving after a year since prospective franchisees screen and weigh their options so they spend more time evaluating. Contacts were established with deals and contracts eventually inked. Proven examples are our store at California Garden Square in Mandaluyong, in Jupiter St. Makati, and in Robinsons Imus. We have a total of 38 stores, 6 of which are company-owned, the rest franchised to partners,” Juan proudly shares.

Rommel Juan invites prospective franchisees to join the Binalot family and help promote everything fun about being Pinoy. “Support banana farmers while sustaining the environment for our kids,” he adds.

BFFI will offer pre-approved sites for franchising with the Binalot Food Van, but areas may be bigger because of the mobility of the new store units. Prospective franchisees may see the actual Binalot Food Van inside Binalot’s booth. With this model, Binalot aims to again leave a mark in one of the biggest one-stop shop event in this side of the world. Displayed within almost 10,000 square meters of exhibit space, the Binalot Food Van sitting prominently inside the Binalot booth is a sure to stand among successful brands in the food, retail and service categories.

Binalot Fiesta Foods, Inc. (BFFI), home of the “Ultimate Filipino Food Experience”, will be back at the three-day Franchise Asia Philippines (FAP) Expo 2012 on July 27-29, 2012 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia.