Expat Newspaper | July 31 – August
13, 2011
THE operator of the Binalot fast-food chain will open at least five stores outside Metro Manila to take advantage of lower rental rates and its “Manila branding.”
But Binalot could double its store rollout following the huge interest it received at The 10th Filipino Franchise Show organized by the Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc., Rommel Juan, Binalot Fiesta Foods Inc. president, told reporters.
“We’re keeping our fingers crossed that we may probably open 10 this year, depending on their location,” Juan said.
“I’m pushing for the provinces because the locations are better and rent is cheap,” he said, adding that brands from Manila usually stand out when brought outside the capital.
The company intends to open branches in Urdaneta and Tarlac after opening an outlet in Dagupan. The Pangasinan branch is doing very well, Juan said.
Since opening its first stall in Shaw in 1996, Binalot has expanded its store network to 35 branches, anchored on franchising.
“We’re looking at effective partners to help us with the expansion. We’re very strict with screening,” Juan said, adding that the company puts a premium on the location of the store when selecting franchisers.
The company owns five of its 35 stores.Continue reading
Philippine Daily Inquirer, July 22, 2011
Today’s entrepreneurs are into a new secret: Open in the province, and avoid Metro Manila’s high rent and labor.
Come to think of it: Franchises follow the suggested retail prices whether they are in Manila or are in a provincial mall. But rental rates and labor costs are much cheaper in the provinces, by as much as 20-30 %. This is one of the secrets unlocked by Binalot franchisee Ken Clemente. The 20- something , very youthful entrepreneur finished his college studies in DeLa Salle, but decided to move back to Legazpi, Albay to open his Binalot franchise.Continue reading
BusinessWorld, July 22-23, 2011
The 10th Filipino Franchise Show was held at the World Trade Center at Pasay City last July 22 – 24, 2011. Binalot Fiesta Foods presented in partnership wih Akari, Answer Signs, Audiophile, Baicapture, BLIMS Furniture, ECHO Store, Ecothings, J4EMS Trading and Construction, LeBistro Sustainable Coffee, Lexicon Press, Philippine Mango Seedling Farm Corporation, Power Mac Center, and
Samsung and won best booth! Check out what happened back there:
Manila Standard Today
July 20, 2011
Binalot receives Special Citation at the Entrepreneur
Franchise Award 2011.
To view complete list of winners, click this link:
http://www.entrepreneur.com.ph/franchising/article/congratulations-to-the-franchise-award-2011-winners
Image from Entrepreneur magazine, July 2011 issue
Click to enlarge.
Franchise opportunities abound in PHL for OFWs
07/08/2011
One of the country’s successful entrepreneurs, Rommel Juan, owner of the Binalot Chain of restaurants, has an advice for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs): take advantage of franchise opportunities in the Philippines.
“Franchising is a good option for OFWs so that they are sure that they are investing their hard earned money on a working and proven business concept,” Juan said in an email to GMA News Online.
“Franchises have a higher percentage of success than start-up concepts. This is because there is already a fixed system, the brand is established and expertise already exists. Franchising is working for yourself but not by yourself,” he added.
Juan was a former president of the Association of Filipino Franchisers, Inc. (AFFI), a non-stock, non-profit national organization of Filipino entrepreneurs and business professionals, duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
