Bibingkinitan expands in key cities, provinces

MANILA, Philippines - Home-grown franchise concept Bi-ningkinitan! Is shifting the focus of its expansion in the provincial areas this year, particularly in roadside locations in provincial cities and capital towns, and in smaller size malls.

Richard V. Sanz, president and CEO of Bibingkinitan!’s mother firm FoodAsia Corp., said majority of the 100 new outlets that the company is targeting to establish this year will be outside Metro Manila, bringing its total store branches to at least 250 by the end of 2010.

“We already saturated the big malls in Metro Manila so our direction now is to go on smaller malls and provincial cities and towns,” Sanz explained, adding that half of the new stores will be put up by the company and the other half by franchisees.

Sanz said they have expanded their product offerings to include “pancit in bilaos” and “Bar-B-Q” for take-out as the company wants to position Bibingkinitan! As the preferred brand for parties, gatherings and “pasalubong” (take-home) food packages.

Bibingkinitan!, he stressed is now a recognized and established brand, with the Bank of the Philippine Island (BPI) even offering a collateral-free loan to its prospective franchisees.

“The fact that a bank in the stature of BPI is willing to offer collateral-free loans for our franchisees shows that Bibingkinitan! Is already a trusted brand and a highly feasible investment opportunity,” Sanz said.

Aside from this encouraging indicator, he said FoodAsia Corp. has also come up with its own “Franchise Lite” package under which franchisees can pay the franchise cost in six months at zero interest and no down payment.

Bibingkinitan!’s franchise packages ranges from P350,000 to P1.5 million. It has been getting the interest of start-up entrepreneurs with its affordable franchising package and very marketable products that allow easy recovery of the investment. Bibingkinitan! Stores are available in all SM and major malls nationwide.

FoodAsia Corp.’s commissary is located in Las Piñas. For inquiries, call 8090884 & 8096893, or visit FoodAsia Corp. at 9/floor, Page 1 Bldg., Madrigal Business Park, Muntinlupa City or log on to [email protected].