US franchisers seek Filipino takers
A delegation of 14 “iconic” American franchise companies will be in town on July 17 to 18 to meet with prospective Filipino franchisees, according to the United States Commercial Service.
The US franchise trade mission to the Philippines is made up of the following companies: Edible Arrangements (fresh fruit arrangements, bouquets, and specialty gift items); Great American Cookies (gourmet cookies and brownies); Jan-Pro Cleaning System (cleaning service provider); Marble Slab Creamery (homemade ice cream); Panda Express Gourmet Chinese Food (largest Asian fastfood chain in America); PJ’s Coffee of New Orleans (coffeehouse); Pretzelmaker (soft pretzel brand); RadioShack (retailer of technology products and services for personal, home and power supply needs); Russo’s New York Pizzeria (pizza chain); Tilted Kilt Pub and Eatery (Celtic-themed sports pub and restaurant); Title Boxing Club (fitness club); Tutor Doctor (private and online tutoring services); World of Beer (beer tavern); and Wow Cafe American Grill and Wingery (American food).
According to the US government website export.gov, “[t]he Philippine market offers solid opportunities: A large consumer base, the English language is widely spoken, a strong cultural affinity with America and American goods, low labor costs, a large [pool] of skilled labor and management talent, and a strategic location in the region.”
US Commercial Service said that, a few years back, American franchises dominated with a 60-percent share of the Philippine market against homegrown and other foreign concepts combined. However, local franchises now corner 55 percent of the sector, as Filipino concepts have improved.
Data from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) showed that, in the first quarter of this year, the Philippines welcomed 11 business missions from the United States. In 2013, 27 American trade and investment missions arrived in the country.
Last year, the US was the Philippines’ third-biggest trading partner and second-largest export destination as well as source of import. American-led pledges with the country’s investment promotion agencies (IPAs) last year reached $1.3 billion. Ben O. de Vera
