Hawaii burger chain making waves in PH

Teddy’s Bigger Burgers now open in Greenbelt 3, Makati City.

MANILA, Philippines–Teddy’s Bigger Burgers, a hamburger chain based in Hawaii, is set to open nine branches in the Philippines, which may serve as the company’s base for further expansion in Southeast Asia.

The Philippines is the second country where Teddy’s Bigger Burgers has opened internationally after Japan, said founders Rich Stula and Ted Tsakiris at the opening of the burger chain’s first Philippine branch in Makati on Thursday.

According to Stula, Teddy’s Bigger Burgers was brought to the country by Sumo Burger Global Inc. led by Marvin Agustin, Raymund Magdaluyo and Ricky Laudico, via a licensing agreement, which may be converted into a master franchise option.

“They came across us in Hawaii and they liked it. That was the first time that we considered the Philippines. Our deal is that they will open a certain number of stores, after which we can decide if we can go for a master franchise. We’re interested in Asia and [the Philippine operations] may provide some support mechanism for other branches in the region,” Stula explains.

The service here “may become the new standard for Teddy’s Bigger Burgers because the hospitality here is higher than we’ve experienced, company-wide and globally. I see exceptional service everywhere, and so this is probably where our future Southeast Asian franchisees will come in for training,” Tsakiris adds.

Following the opening of its branch in Greenbelt 3, Sumo Burger will put up branches in Eastwood, Shangri-La Plaza Mall, Newport Mall and at the Bonifacio Global City later this year and the next.

Tsakiris says that the company is geared for the Philippine market, adding that they will be taking the same approach that they have done in Hawaii and the rest of the United States.

Sumo Burger Global on its part says that it does not plan to deviate from the mother company’s core values and products.

“Our plan is to build several stores to serve as many customers as possible. However, we want to make sure we put in the same level of passion and dedication as Ted and Rich. The founders are passionate burger chefs and their vision from day one has been to bring back the glory years of the burger joint. If we are able to just cook the burgers as how it is supposed to be cooked, we’re pretty much set,” Magdaluyo says.

Teddy’s Bigger Burgers Philippines joins Teddy’s growing network of nine branches in Hawaii, and about 20 more in various stages of development in California, Washington, Texas and Las Vegas, apart from Japan.

Included in the menu are Teddy’s Original Burger, made of 100 percent US ground chuck patty seasoned with a special seasoning, Teri Burger basted with sweet teriyaki sauce, and the western burger with crispy hash brown, onion rings, cheddar cheese, bacon and barbecue sauce.