Restaurateur postpones international expansion

Cebu’s upbeat economy prompted Cebuano restaurateur Anthony Ballreich to focus the company’s growth here instead of pursuing international expansion.

Ballreich, whose company operates the Thai restaurants in Cebu, such as Krua Thai and the newly opened Siam at the Ayala—The Terraces, said that Cebu still provides good business opportunity especially for quality food service compared to other places in the Philippines and even overseas.

"As long as a restaurant offers quality food and services, there is a room for growth here, amid the economic challenges face by the worldwide economy today," said Ballreich.

Aside from the growing tourists market, Ballreich sees confidence in the domestic market, as restaurant industry's growth driver in the next few years as Cebu has become the favorite investment destination for Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) companies, and tourism related industries.

"We see a good potential for growth within the Philippines especially Cebu," Ballreich said as he explained why the company has to postpone its plan of opening outlets outside the country.

Earlier, the company planned to enter the international market, such as Guam, United States South San Francisco, California, and Japan.

This planned international expansion has been temporarily shelved off because of the global recession.

This year, Ballreich said the restaurant market in Cebu has been profitable and have become sophisticated and demands high quality of food and personalized service.

The opening of the posh Siam restaurant at The Terraces, Ballreich said is expected to attract the discriminating and sophisticated tourists and local diners.

"Cebuanos have learned the art of dining out. Quality of food and kind of service and affordability should be sustained," he said considering that Cebuanos' spending culture counts the "value for money" attitude.

Despite the proliferation of theme restaurants and newer outlets entering the Cebu market, including those from Manila, and foreign-developed names, he said that Cebu is still capable of providing growth in the entire food service industry as the market is increasing.

Aside from the local diners, Ballreich said the increasing corporate market has pushed the growth of the restaurant industry in Cebu.

He said for the industry to sustain profitability, newer concepts of food servings are needed, as the market is always looking for "something new, and exciting."

His new venture, Siam Restaurant, offers high quality of authentic Thai Cuisine, Ballreich is confident that it will lure both foreign tourists, and Filipino diners.