Cebu food outlet open for franchising

Two years after its birth, home-grown burger and comfort food brand Buddies Burger will start offering franchises by January.

In an interview last Monday, Gobachi Group director of marketing John Paul Chiongbian said they have tapped franchising consultant RK Franchise Consultancy, Inc. to set up the franchising system which they hope to start offering by January next year.

Buddies Burgers first opened in Piazza Elesia, Talamban, Cebu City in May 2011 and then opened their second branch a year ago in Escario Street.

“We initially planned to expand one branch every year using just the profits from our first two branches but we realized that we can expand faster by offering franchises,” said Chiongbian.

Gobachi Group director of operations Nino Bascon said they are targeting to open five more branches.

He said this includes a branch they are eyeing to open in Ayala Center Cebu next year.

Investments for franchisees is from P2 million to P3 million which already covers everything including the franchisee fee of P300,000 and setting up of the restaurant.

“We have been talking with several interested franchisees already who are mostly young professionals and some OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) who are looking for a good investment for their money,” Bascon said.

Based on their experience, Chiongbian said the group achieved return-on-investment after only eight months of operations.

He said they are confident that it will be the same story for their franchisees.

Chiongban said the market continued to expand and their business model and products cater to all market segments from the upper A class to the C market. Reporter Aileen Garcia-Yap