For SK firm, PH is top market

Korean food firms are eyeing potential partnerships with local businessmen as they consider the  Philippines to be a significant market for franchising ventures.

“Korean food has been extremely popular in the Philippines and Korean [companies] see the Philippines as a very important market. This, I believe, will create a very important opportunity and partnership for everyone involved,” said Park Jang Hee, food service promotion team leader of Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corp. (aT).

This is why aT, a state-run corporation of South Korea that promotes Korean produce, seafood and food items abroad, has decided to choose the Philippines as its venue for the first Korean Franchise Exhibit in Southeast Asia.

Misun Choi of the food service promotion team at aT, said that the Philippines emerged as the top choice among Korean franchise companies.

“Based on a survey conducted on the franchisees, the Philippines emerged as No. 1, followed by Indonesia and Malaysia,” Choi said. “Some of the 10 exhibitors in the event already have existing franchises or is under negotiation with companies in China and Singapore.”

The state firm led a delegation of 10 Korean food franchises for the first Korean Franchise Exhibition held in Makati last week.

According to Hee, the “Buy Korean Franchise, Autumn Exhibition @ Makati” created a “very important platform for interested buyers of Korean brands that participated in the event.” More importantly, it helped foster good relations between the Philippines and South Korea.

The Korean food franchises that presented before a crowd of close to a hundred participants from the food industry, included C Rep. Co. Ltd. (Dagiya Brand); DaeDae FC Co. Ltd. (Kkuldak); Didimfood Co. Ltd. (New Mapogalmegi); Han Wool Foodline (Solemio); and Ilmiri.

Also present were Korean firms Mannafood (Twowing Chicken); Steven’s Corp.; WEDO Co. Ltd. (Kkongdon Barbeque); Yadllie Franchise and Culture Co. Ltd (Yadllie Chicken); and Wondertable Co. Inc. (Gomsotium).

Local firms that participated in the business matching meetings with the Korean firms included Waffle Time, Pancake House, Denovo Express, Golden Arches Development Corp., The Bistro Group, Verdiville Corp., The Fort Food Services Inc., and RK Franchise Consultancy.

Other participants were Grand Majestic Manufacturing Corp., Shopwise, GVR Trading Corp., Jupiter Enterprises Inc., Concept One, Hemady Square, Blims Fine Furniture, Benedicto Steel Corp., and Jollibee Foods Corp.