Fruitas secures P 750-M facility from PNB

MANILA, Philippines — Fruitas Holdings Inc. has secured a P750-million credit facility from Philippine National Bank (PNB) to open more stores, develop its brand portfolio and explore overseas opportunities.

The homegrown food and beverage chain signed the agreement last Oct. 2 at the PNB Financial Center in Pasay City.

READ: Fruitas seen outpacing PH economic growth

Fruitas director Calvin Chua said domestic expansion remained the priority, although the company was also considering bringing foreign brands into the Philippines and taking its own brands abroad.

“Of course, what we are focusing on is national expansion, but we have also looked at both inbound and outbound,” Chua said.

Acquired brands

The company is also exploring new products and retail formats for acquired brands, including Sugarhouse.

Chua cited noodle house Ling Nam, which Fruitas had expanded from restaurants into kiosks, as an example of this approach.

For overseas growth, Chua pointed to markets with large Filipino communities, citing the company’s previous experience in the Middle East.

Fruitas president and CEO Lester Yu said the company had already exported small volumes of Fruitas-branded products to Canada and the United States using the same packaging.

The group now has 15 commissaries nationwide, Yu added.

Asked why Fruitas was pursuing expansion despite rising interest rates and uncertainty facing businesses, Yu pointed to growing revenue and sales volume.

He cited revenue growth of more than 20 percent. He also said volume last week rose 47.7 percent compared with the corresponding week in 2025, based on the company’s weekly monitoring.

The credit facility will support new store openings nationwide, strengthen existing brands and provide flexibility to pursue opportunities outside the Philippines, according to the company.

READ: PNB lending boosts profit to P25.3B

PNB president and CEO Edwin Bautista said the financing reflected the bank’s confidence in Fruitas’ growth prospects and financial management.

PNB vice chair Lucio Tan III likewise said the bank aimed to help local businesses expand and compete in larger markets.

“Our role is to give companies like Fruitas the financial runway to grow, helping strong local businesses compete on a bigger stage,” Tan said.

Fruitas began nearly 25 years ago with a single fruit shake concept. Its portfolio now spans beverage kiosks, bakeries, community stores and casual dining establishments. INQ