Max’s Group chief finance officer Dave Fuentebella and president/chief executive officer Robert Trota talk to reporters after the company’s stockholders meeting on May 8, 2017
The country’s leading casual dining chain Max’s Group Inc. (MGI) is expanding its footprint in Canada with a new deal to set up shop in Winnipeg, the capital city of the province of Manitoba, by next year.
In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Wednesday, MGI announced that the group had signed a deal with a local partner, Alibin Group Inc., to bring Max’s Restaurant to Winnipeg by 2018.
“We welcome the opportunity to once again serve distinct flavors of home to our countrymen based in Canada. We will strive to become part of their growing list of preferred dining destinations through our classic bestsellers,” said MGI president and chief executive officer Robert Trota.
This signifies the fifth offshore store development agreement inked by MGI for 2017.
To date, Max’s Restaurant currently operates five stores in Canada. It previously opened restaurants with the help of other partners in Vancouver, Toronto, Scarborough and Edmonton. This is so far the only brand in its portfolio brought by MGI to Canada.
“Existing stores are doing well. Customers also include non-Filipino diners,” said MGI investor relations officer Paul Cheah, when asked about how this Filipino brand was faring in Canada.
“Our tie-up with Alibin Group will anchor the success of this endeavor. They are equipped with the necessary knowledge and business acumen to foster our shared vision,” Trota added.
Alibin Group is a privately held Canadian company, comprised of family shareholders and operators which is into the retailing business, food services, accounting, finance and private capital market, architectural and information technology. Winnipeg has been the Alibin family’s home turf since early 1990s, where they have formed business network and alliances integral in marketing for their businesses.
“We are honored to be in partnership with Max’s Group Inc. and ecstatic to spread the standards, tradition and experience set by its founders in Winnipeg. Our extensive research determined that the people of Manitoba have been clamoring for a Max’s Restaurant,” said Alibin Group managing director and chief executive officer Hipolito Alibin Jr.
Max’s Restaurant currently operates a total of 175 stores including 27 franchised branches overseas. Including other brands such as Pancake House, Yellow Cab and Sizzlin’ Steak, MGI group operates a total of 655 stores, including 55 franchised outlets abroad located across North America, Middle East and parts of Asia.