Krua Thai opens largest capacity outlet in Cebu

As the Cebu market slowly embraces fine dining cuisine and theme restaurant offering, Krua Thai Inc. has invested into opening the largest capacity restaurant among its eight outlets nationwide.

Krua Thai, an authentic Thai food restaurant is opening its 9th outlet all over country, at the newly opened Banilad Town Center (BTC) to take advantage of the vibrant market for theme restaurant in Cebu, said Krua Thai Inc. president Anthony Ballreich.

Its newest investment into another outlet will capture the corporate market for events, thus, the installation of the four function rooms.

Aside from the growing number of tourists patronizing the theme restaurants in Cebu, such as Thai food, Ballreich said domestic market, especially Cebuanos are now starting to embrace the fine dining services, especially for theme restaurants.

This homegrown theme restaurant has only been operating for five years now, but it has made its presence in Metro Manila, and other parts of the Visayas and Mindanao.

Despite the perceived economic challenges in the country today, Ballreich said the fine dining restaurant business has continued to post encouraging sales performance, not only in Cebu, but also in other major cities.

He said the market has now become sophisticated despite the financial crisis, and with the position of Cebu as the center for tourism and business activities in Southern Philippines, it has continued to benefit businesses, like food.

In its Mactan Island branch, he said 80 percent of its clientele profile are the Korean visitors to Cebu, while some are expatriates from Mactan Export Zone (1 and 2), and good number of Cebuano customers.

"It is not difficult to attract clients nowadays especially in the theme restaurant concepts. Customers have become sophisticated and ambiance, quality of service and good matters most to them," Ballreich said.

The restaurant started its operations in 2001. Two years after, the restaurant ventured into catering service for exclusive parties and special occasions.

He said there is a market for authentic cuisine here. Besides, he emphasized that the booming tourism industry in Cebu has also helped the restaurant business, specifically for authentic cuisine thrive and expand amid the unfavorable economic condition.

In some of its out-of-town outlets, Krua Thai is working closely with a business partner, and operates like a franchise concept.

"I would like to work closely with partners especially in our out-of-town outlets like in Manila, and other areas in Visayas and Mindanao, in order to maintain our quality of products and services," Ballreich said.