Cosmopolitan to open Vietnam outlet in '07

Cosmopolitan Memorial Chapels will be opening its first overseas outlet in Vietnam in the second quarter of 2007.

Cosmopolitan, which has the largest chain of memorial chapels in the country, launched its local and international franchise package in 2002. The Vietnam outlet opening next year will start the company's active positioning in the international market.

Expanding its overseas presence through franchise concept, Cosmopolitan franchise director and vice president for operations Kate Dychangco-Anzani said it took time for the company to clench the offshore deal because of cultural constraints especially in the death care and memorial care aspects.

In Vietnam, since the country has similar culture in the Philippines, it was a bit easier for the company to pursue the franchise business.

"Locals in Vietnam believe that there is a need for more professional funeral service," Dychangco-Anzani said.

The company offers an average of P20 million to P40 million franchise fee, depending on the location, and the size of the memorial chapel.

She said if the Vietnam operation goes well, the company will have to actively explore other franchise possibilities in other countries.

Cosmopolitan is banking on it's over 50 years experience in the funeral care service industry, with 17 chain of memorial chapels around the country.

The company has also introduced the first internationally accredited mortuary and funeral care skills training center at Nivel Hills, the Pacific Center for Advanced Studies (PCAS).

According to Sarah Dychangco, PCAS president, the mortuary and funeral skills is always in demand whether in the Philippines or anywhere around the globe, as date rate is constant at 100 percent.

The training center arm of the Cosmopolitan will also serve as the human resource powerhouse of the company to compliment its bid to go international.

To date, the school has not only attracted locals, but also foreign students.

"What we commit to our franchisees is transitional growth and a partnership that will be beneficial through the years," Dychangco-Anzani said.

Last April of this year, the company started to export funeral care merchandizes, such as casket interiors, urn bags, some chemicals, and embalming fluids.

Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes Inc., has been in the death care service industry for over 50 years. The company started in Cebu, in 1950, by Renato Dychangco Sr. The very first branch opened to the public with aide of horses- then known as "kalesas" serving as the company hearse.