Homegrown restos on expansion mode

TWO homegrown restaurant chains have opened new branches in Cebu.

After 11 years of just being a “hole in the wall” type of restaurant along General Maxilom, the Uy family decided to open the first branch of Frontgate in Paseo Arcenas, Banawa, Cebu City.

According to Sydney Uy who manages the chain, they are seeing Cebuanos now going out and becoming more “adventurous” when it comes to trying out different dishes.

“That inspired us to become more experimental with what we offer in our chain because that is what the market is demanding aside from quality and value-for-money pricing,” he said.

Uy, who studied at the International Culinary Arts Academy Cebu (ICAAC), said that they decided to make adjustments in the menu and added new products like the Bacon Madness Burger which uses homemade bacon.

“This will be the start of more expansions we have set within the year. Perhaps three to five outlets in strategic areas within Metro Cebu will be opened this year, all company-owned,” he said.

Dong Juan, another local restaurant chain, has opened its 18th outlet at the Calyx Center in Cebu I.T. Park.

“Hopefully we’ll have four more outlets opening this year, one in Quezon City which is a company-owned outlet,” said owner Audrey Borja.

In 2007, Borja and husband John invested P500,000 for their first outlet. They later opened their business for franchising in 2011.

“Since then, we have been getting franchisees. Out of the 18 outlets, only two are company-owned and investments vary depending on size. For a typical 60 square meters store, an investment between P3 million to P3.5 million is likely,” she said. / Reporter Aileen Garcia-Yap