By Pacita U. Juan

October 04, 2014
(Source: http://www.manilatimes.net/mabuhay-ang-pagkaing-pinoy/131178/)

(This week’s Business Mentor features a guest columnist, Pacita “Chit” Juan. Born to a family of entrepreneurs, she many has established many start-ups since college days in the University of the Philippines. She also pioneered work in social entrepreneurship through ECHOstore and other sustainability-themed businesses. She was named Ernst & Young Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year in 2003, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist in 2011 and Go Negosyo Social Entrepreneur Starpreneur Award in 2011.)

MANILA, Philippines — James Mazo, a former project manager of Duty Free Philippines, and Hotel and Restaurant management graduate Wilma Paduga both believe that entrepreneurship empowers an individual which results in emotional fulfillment, self-actualization and social responsibility.

James Mazo and Wilma Paduga are two former employees who achieved their dreams by getting a franchise business.

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October 2, 2014
(Source: http://www.manilatimes.net/mabuhay-ang-pagkaing-pinoy/131178/)

18 years of Binalot

In any business, getting past four years is considered a mean feat. By the 10th year, it has hurdled the worst. From then on, every succeeding year is a well-deserved celebration.

This month, Binalot, which made famous its range of traditional Filipino food by wrapping them in banana leaves, is celebrating its 18th anniversary with nothing but good news.

“We just keep going with the flow. I was barely out of college when I, along with some friends and relatives, started Binalot. What we then thought was an experiment in food delivery in the Makati Business District is happily a full-blown restaurant and franchise company today,” related brand and concept founder Rommel Juan.

On the venture’s 18th year, Juan has decided to take “Binalot to the next level” and in fact tested the market in the United Arab Emirates if the chain would excite the huge Filipino community over there.

“The good news is that the response has been very positive, with our fellow Filipinos in the UAE always looking for the flavors of our Tapa RapSarap and Bistek Walastik in banana leaves,” the businessman enthused. “So it’s a very happy 18th birthday for us because many new things are coming our way.”

Incidentally, Binalot is participating in the annual Filipino Franchise Show organized by the Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc from today through October 5 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. The chain is also running an anniversary raffle promo across its 45 Binalot branches around the country. For more information, log on to www.binalot.com.

30 years of Rufo’s ‘tapa’
Thirty years ago, a hole-in-the-wall eatery in Kalayaan Avenue, Makati City opened up to serve a dish of Filipino beef tapa whose delicious sauce set it apart from the rest. Countless orders and 21 stores later, the same tender and juicy beef strips with a rich and sweet sauce have made Rufo’s an institution in casual Pinoy dining.

Besides the chain’s legendary tapsilog (beef tapa, garlic rice and fried egg), the restaurant also serves other comfort food dishes such as Mushroom Adobo, Bulalo, Chicken Tinola, and Pork Humba among others.

“We continue to serve delicious and affordable Filipino food that can be enjoyed by customers 24/7,” related Rufo’s president, Paul Izon Reyes.

To mark its 30th year, Reyes told The Manila Times that a new food line-up dubbed “Cooking ng Ina Mo” has been launched to offer its patrons more lutong bahay delights.

“Just how mom used to make them,” he quipped. “Then and now Rufo’s continues to be about good food—simple Filpino meals shared among family and friends, which in our culture, always makes for the best memories.”

Besides the new menu, Rufo’s is also working to hit complete its 30 branch in celebration of its 30th year. For more information, log on to www.rufos.com.ph.

By Lydia D. Castillo
September 28, 2014
(Source: http://www.philstar.com/starweek-magazine/2014/09/28/1373746/eighteen-and-growing)

We remember some of our farm hands who, at lunch time, would pull out what looked like a ball from their bags, then start unwrapping it. It was a square of banana leaf, holding a mound of rice, a fried fish, sometimes meat, and a tomato. With their hands they ate with gusto their baon – a packed meal, the banana leaf serving as their lunch box.

This way of eating did not escape the creative mind of a young man, Rommel, who thought of adopting and selling packed meals in this native way. Just out of university he plunged into his pet project, Binalot, which was a meal packed in banana leaf, sold in his first outlet. He was not without encouragement from his siblings and an aunt, the enterprising entrepreneur Chit.

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By:  Ige Ramos
September 29th, 2014

(Source: Bandera)

Isa ang binalot sa mga kinagisnang paraan na pag-iimbak ng pagkain ng mga Pilipino. Karaniwan itong ginagawa upang hindi mahirapan sa pagbibitbit ng baon na pagkain.

Susong-susong na sinalab na dahon ng saging ang ginagawang pambalot sa kanin na may kasamang ulam, karaniwan ay tapa, tocino, pritong isda o adobo na may kaunting salsa, at sinamahan ng atsara, hiniwang kamatis at itlog na maalat.

Mahigpit ang pagkakabalot ng sinalab na dahon ng saging kaya hindi madaling mapanis ang pagkain, na nagkakaroon din ng kakaibang samyo at lasa.

Subalit sa hirap makahanap ng dahon ng saging sa mga lungsod, ang pagbabalot ay napalitan ng mga sisidlang plastik. Kaya naman, naisipan ni Rommel Juan ang isang eksperimento sa paghahatid ng pagkain sa mga tanggapan sa Makati noong 2006.

Kasama ang kanyang kaibigan, kuya, dalawang kapatid na babae at ang kanilang tiyahin ay itinayo niya ang Binalot.
Ano ang sikreto sa tagumpay ng Binalot?

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Mechanics:

1. The “BINALOT @18: Celebrate 18 Festive Years With Us!” raffle promo will run from September 8-November 8, 2014.

2. To join, customer must drop his/her official business card with signature in designated drop boxes at any participating Binalot store.

3. There will be 18 winners of “18 Binalot Fiesta Meals sa Bilao” consisting of the following: Pancit Canton, Pancit Bihon, Sisig na Makisig, Vivo Tocino, Pride Tilapia, Daing na bangus, Bistek Walastic, Inihaw na Baboy, Fiesta Adobo, All Chicken Adobo, All Pork Adobo and Rice.

4. The raffle draw will be held at BFFI Head Office at 3686 BUJ Bldg. Sun Valley Subd., Paranaque City on November 18, 2014.

5. Participant may only win once.

6. Prizes cannot be transferred or converted to cash

7. Winners shall be notified by telephone and registered mail based on the contact details in the calling card submitted.

8. Prizes not claimed within sixty (60) calendar days from receipt of notification from Binalot Fiesta Foods, Inc. (BFFI) shall be forfeited and retained by BFFI. Winner must present a valid company ID and the official letter from BFFI to claim the prize.

9. Winners authorize BFFI to publish their names, photos and other particulars determined by BFFI to any person/s and in any mode or manner as BFFI may deem appropriate.

10. Employees and family members of Binalot Fiesta Foods, Inc., Binalot franchisees and their respective subsidiaries and suppliers including their relatives up to the second degree of consanguinity or affinity are not qualified to join this promotion.

Source:  zawya.com

By Arno Maierbrugger

In the footsteps of the Philippines’ largest fast food chain, Jollibee, which is very expansive in the GCC countries — Gulf Times reported — another restaurant brand, Binalot Fiesta Foods, is the next one to make its foray into the Gulf. Binalot CEO Rommel Juan recently said in Manila that a first Binalot store will be opened in Dubai shortly, and more will follow in other GCC countries.

Target group for Binalot restaurants are mostly Oversea Filipino Workers (OFWs), as the restaurant serves traditional Filipino food such as adobo, bistek, tapas, tocino, sisig and longganisa, all in traditional sauces and most dishes served in banana leaves, Binalot’s trademark.

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(Source:  http://www.mb.com.ph/binalot-restaurant-chain-plans-overseas-stores)

Binalot Fiesta Foods Inc. has reorganized in preparation to pursuing an aggressive expansion program locally as well overseas to cater the OFWs, particularly in the Asean region.

Binalot owner-Chief Executive Officer Rommel Juan said the company has close to 50 stores now, most of them are franchise stores, but is slowly building up more company-owned stores this year.

Juan said 7 stores are opening up this year with P3.5 million average investments. Majority of its stores are located in Metro Manila where there is a strong demand by urbanites to experience the traditional Filipino comfort food wrapped in banana leaves.

In an extremely competitive quick service restaurant category, Juan said Binalot chose to be part of the niche market where it has a significant share to be able to compete more effectively in the business.

“It is significant share to be able to compete more effectively ion the business. It is working on reaching beyond its core market by exploring other market opportunities like the delivery market and Asean market,” Juan said.

The reorganization aims to bring in more experienced management team that should strengthen franchise support structure and enhance brand performance by identifying market opportunities.

“We need a well-rounded team to execute the program starting this 4th quarter of 2014  with the opening of more Binalot stores in key cities of the country. This may also mean that we will put up Binalot stores outside the country where there is a critical mass of OFWs and distribute Pinoy products there. This will entail looking for strategic partners in international markets we plan to enter,” Juan said.

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