Korean chicken resto opens in Ayala Center

CEBU, Philippines - Popular Korean restaurant Chicken BonChon is now in Cebu. The restaurant officially welcomed the dining public on October 1 at the second level of The Terraces in Ayala Center.

Bonchon, meaning “original village” in Korean, is a global brand that originated in South Korea and began making waves in the global arena in 2007 when it entered the US market captivating the discerning palates of the citizens of New York, San Francisco, Boston, Virginia, and New jersey.

A partnership between Chicken BonChon Philippine master franchisee Scottland Inc. and Avalon Scion Foods Corporation, Bonchon Cebu is the first in the Visayas for the fast food chain and the second biggest.

Its entry to Cebu is seen to re-enforce Cebu’s positioning as preferred international destination and a testament to the city’s huge potential to offer growth for quick-service restaurants.

In fact, this early, Avalon already expressed plans to open at least two more outlets here by next year. BonChon is the first food venture of the company, a good diversification from its successful trading and real estate businesses.

According to Steven Yu, president of Avalon Scion Foods Corporation, with its sophisticated market, Cebu   provides good business for branded quick-service restaurants, like Chicken BonChon, despite the availability of other food chains that also carry chicken as its primary product.

Yu said Bonchon answers Cebu’s need for more internationally known brands, while it is positioned as the premier global destination.

Bonchon will not only attract the growing number of Korean tourists to the province, but also the Cebuanos whose taste is known as one of the most discriminating and sophisticated, Yu added.

Scottland Inc. brought Chicken BonChon and its phenomenal chicken and other dishes to the Philippines two years ago. Since then, the company had already opened close to 30 outlets.

By 2013, the Philippine master franchisee of Chicken BonChon targets to hit 40 outlets across the Philippines.

“Filipinos love to eat chicken. There is certainly no ‘chicken overload’. Besides, Chicken Bonchon offers distinct taste for the Filipino taste buds,” said Alexander Scott Tan, managing director of Scottland Inc.

Scottland Inc. offers an average of P10 to P13 million franchise package for a BonChon outlet, depending on the size and location of the restaurant . (FREEMAN)