Ramon Fernandez (right) and his wife Karla has invented P1.6 million in a food cart business.(CONTRIBUTED)
The food cart business that combines franchising and networking gives a fresh twist to an industry that promotes microenterprises and encourages livelihood programs.
Professional basketball legend Ramon Fernandez and wife Karla ventured into the business after a Manila-based friend introduced it to them.
The couple said they are offering a food concept that will help people earn and make a living. Depending on the variety of food in one cart, the investment ranges from P52,500 to P97,500.
After investing P1.6 million, the Fernandez couple opened the Food Champ Food Supplies and Services on Tres Borces St., Mabolo last May 30. It is the food depot for the Filipino Dream, a Manila-based food franchise and networking firm, established in 2008 with the goal of providing businesses to every Filipino.
Food Champ has 12 food cart businesses for franchisees to choose from. These are Burgeroo, Red Bowl, Sisig Shop, Pinoy Pao, Pizza Pinoy, O’Noodle, Buko Nut, Egglog, Jack’s, I Macaroni and Ching’s Dumplings and Emperor’s Siomai.
In a press conference over the weekend, Karla said there are two revenue streams arising from investing in the food cart business and these are income from the operations of the food cart and networking.
On the networking side, there are two ways to earn and these are through direct referrals and the pairings under a binary structure.
A single food cart costs P52,500, a 2-in-1 food cart – meaning one food cart with 2 food varieties costs P77,500 while a 3-in-one cart costs P97,500.
The investment includes the food cart, equipment, a set of uniforms, seminar for the franchisee and crew training. Franchisees are also guided on how to run the business.
“As depot owners, we service them by supplying food items, “ said Karla.
She said there are already 40 franchisees since the depot opened less than a month ago.
In the first week of operations alone, Karla said they had 32 franchisees.
“We were told by our principals that the number is record-breaking,” remarked Karla, a former television network executive who resigned to focus on the business.
Because of this, Pinoy Pao Express, Inc., the principal, decided to set up a commissary here in Cebu to cater to the franchisees’ inventory.
Karla said they are considering expanding their business to the whole Visayas and Mindanao.
To operate the food cart business, franchisees need to secure a permit from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the usual business permit or barangay permits depending on where they decide to situate their carts.
Meanwhile, Ramon said that in order for franchisees to earn more, the location of their business will be important. The more foot traffic where the food cart is located, the higher the prospects for earning.
This type of business is ideal for yuppies, young families, new grads, retirees, housewives or even businessmen or executives who want to invest their money in a sure revenue-earning venture, she said.
There are daily business presentations for those who want to know more about how the concept works. Foodchamp Food Supplies and Services office is in Unit 5 GCH Building, 26-A Tres Borces St., Mabolo with telephone number 340-8118.