A franchising group is aiming to get a bigger share of Cebu’s market.
Christopher Lim, Philippine Franchising Association (PFA) director for special projects, said that they would be investing more in Cebu, which they considered as a key market in the franchise business.
“Cebu actually is a very difficult market. Consumers are a lot more demanding when it comes to quality and price,” Lim said
He said that would be why the PFA had decided to invest more in Cebu to widen the group’s scope nationwide and in the international market as well.
“We have a firm believe in Cebuano Brands,” said Lim amid the PFA setting the stage for the “Franchise Negosyo Para sa Cebu 2018” in time for the celebration of the Cebu Business Month 2018 (CBM).
He said that Cebuano brands such as Bo’s Coffee, Penshoppe, Golden Cowrie, Island Souvenirs, and Kuya J’s were part of the huge breakthroughs in Cebu market when it came to franchise business.
“Through franchising, they have become their own bosses and have been able to open job opportunities in their respective communities,” PFA President Richard Sanz said on this year’s event theme: Be the Boss.
Sanz added that the main strength of franchising had been that it had turned many individuals into entrepreneurs, even those who were not considered entrepreneurial individuals.
He said that they could be retirees, former employees, fresh graduates, professionals, OFWs, housewives and many more.
“Franchising is the best way to be your own boss and we are bringing this across the country,” he said.
Bing Sibal Limjoco, PFA vice chairperson, said that the main distinction between the Philippines and ASEAN Countries when it would come to franchising would be that the PFA brought in the Certified Franchising Executive (CFE) Program from the US way back in 2002.
She said that the CFE had been recognized in the US and Europe, and bringing the CFE Programs were the first in Asia.
Currently there are more than 100 CFE executives who graduated and finished the 3,500 units that contained different modules on marketing and strategic planning of the said program.
The Franchise Negosyo Para sa Cebu 2018 will be held on June 19 and 20 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
This event is one of the highlights of the CBM Summit 2018, which is organized by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI). / Bea Samantha Esteves, CNU Intern