Potato Corner started in 1992 as a side business of partners wanting extra income. Today, it is the undisputed leader in the french fries franchise with some 700 local stores and 145 international stores, breaking one sales record after another the last few years. Potato Corner president Jose Magsaysay Jr shares with us why and how they are encouraging entrepreneurship […]
franchising
Samie Lim has a unique gift of visualizing the future economic development of our country, and the talent for harnessing the bayanihan spirit of business leaders by making things happen. He focuses on building unorganized business segments into strong industrial sectors with his mission ‘to serve the greatest numbers of people.’ He has spearheaded the movement to modernize our retail […]
Dr. Alan Escalona took over Fruit Magic in 1999 and has expanded via company and franchised stores while adding new concepts along the way. He is currently president of the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA). He shares his insights about the vision and growth strategy of Fruit Magic and his franchising business. Q1: Your group took over the stores of RPM Fruit Magic in […]
Q1: You and your husband are owners of several businesses (hardware, office supplies). What made you decide to be franchisee of another, specifically Kumon in Tarlac? A: I started Kumon by chance. It was never really part of my plan to franchise a Kumon Center until the existing instructor/ franchisee of the center in Tarlac was going to relocate to […]
Q1: Prior to Francorp, you have worked in Unilever for over a decade handling brands in 4 different countries. You have also studied in Manila, Singapore, Vancouver, and Oxford. How are you applying international lessons learned to Francorp? A: A major lesson I’ve learned working in Unilever and studying Innovation & Strategy in Oxford is that to truly grow global, […]
One of the key contributions of Harvard Professor Michael Porter is popularly known as the Five Forces. Simply put, it defines the five major forces that affect profitability in an industry. These five forces are bargaining power of suppliers, bargaining power of customers, competitive intensity, threat of new entrants as well as threat of substitutes. One of the many features […]
Q14: What are commonalities franchisors look for in franchisees other than having the money to franchise? Potato Corner CEO Jose Magsaysay: For new franchisees and partners, we look for a connection. Every communication is an evaluation or a test of how we connect to them. From an email to the first meeting, we probe and if there is a connection we […]
Q5: Some companies do not franchise their businesses because of quick ROI and significant positive cash flow. A few have been able to successfully expand quickly. What are pros and cons of this approach? Fruit Magic President Dr. Alan Escalona: A business that wants to increase its market reach and advance its brand value needs to expand rapidly. If the said business […]
The Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) is the Philippines’ pioneer and largest franchise association. It’s officers list includes the who’s who of business with Samie Lim of BLIMS Furniture as chairman emeritus, Yvette Orbeta of Wendy’s as chairperson, Bing Limjoco of Francorp and Robert Trota of Max’s Group as vice chairmen and Franklin Go of Goldilocks as president . Its membership […]
Question 1: Is franchising a better option than starting your own business from scratch? PFA Chair Emeritus & BLIMS President Samie Lim: While it is true that starting a business creates jobs and may even open more opportunities for other businesses, the sad reality – not only in the Philippines but throughout the world – is that many start-ups end […]