Niknok Manok opens 8th outlet in Ortigas

MANILA, Philippines - There’s a new kid on the block and it’s got plans to become a major player in the fastfood industry.

Less than a year from its opening, Niknok Manok opened last week its eighth outlet at the corner of Bank Drive and Doña Vargas St. in the Ortigas area. Niknok Manok Foods Corp. president and CEO Rogelio “Gil” Nemeño said they hope to open up to 200 branches in five years.

This requires a total investment running into about a quarter of a billion pesos at an average of P12 million per outlet, which is what the company spent for their latest outlet.

Business has been brisk so far, said Jaycel S. Ortiaga, Niknok Manok head of marketing. “Our clientele consists mostly of young professionals who frequent the place because it offers an ambience that is both cozy and vibrant,” she said.

Nemeño, who owns the Nutrilicious brand of drinks, said they entered the market last December with the opening of their first outlet at the Isetann building in Quiapo, Manila. Since then, they have opened branches in Caloocan, Shaw Blvd. E. Rodriguez Blvd. in Quezon City, P. Noval in Sampaloc, Manila, SM City in Rosario, Cavite and along Morayta in the University Belt area.

On the drawing board are new outlets that will be located in Quintin Paredes in Binondo, Manila, one in Concepcion, Marikina and inside SM establishments. Niknok Manok vice chairman Dr. Rey Carpio said their plan is to establish 200 outlets in five years.

This means an average of 40 outlets a year, which is kind of conservative, according to Nemeño.