The Big Chill eyes 400 stores in 5 years

MANILA, Philippines - The Big Chill Inc. is expanding with a plan to set up 400 stores in five years.

TBC sells beverages and food products.

According to TBC chief operating officer (COO) Daniel R. Francisco, “we have an ambitious goal.”

TBC’s expansion plan includes company-owned and franchise stores for the brands Big Chill, Fresh Bar, Cafeteria Verde (C’Verde), Canecoctions, Superfresh, and Tully’s Coffee, Francisco said.

Currently, TBC only has about 43 stores system-wide, mostly in Metro Manila.

TBC’s expansion will not only be within Metro Manila, but in other cities all over the Philippines and even abroad.

TBC, Francisco said, is eyeing Southeast Asia, China, and the US as potential markets for expansion.

In the US, Francisco said, they are eyeing San Francisco and other cities where there are huge Filipino communities.

However, Francisco was quick to add, “but we can open in other places, too. Many nationalities love our mangoes.”

For the Big Chill brand, Francisco said, the beverage chain is set to offer 16-ounce, mid-sized cups for consumers — mostly women — who find the 22 oz. cup too large and the 12 oz cup too small.

TBC is also set to bring Tully’s Coffee to the Philippines. It plans to open about 10 stores per year over the next five years.

Tully’s Coffee, Francisco said, would offer “handcrafted” products.