Phl eyed as franchise hub in Asia

CEBU, Philippines - Samie Lim, chairman emeritus of the Philippine Franchise Association, wants to see the country becoming the franchise hub in Asia.

If Singapore is Asia’s financial hub and Hong Kong as trading hub, Lim is confident the Philippines can become Asia’s franchise center, now that the country has exported several franchise brands to overseas markets.

 “We believe it’s gonna be Philippines (as the franchise center),” Lim told the Cebu press in an interview yesterday at the launch of the Franchise Visayas 2016 in Ayala Center Cebu.

 Aside from exporting franchise brands, Lim said the Philippines should also get international brands headquartered here to expand regionally.

 “{We want to become} a global center for franchise concepts,” said Lim, considered as the Father of Philippine Franchising.

 Lim said more than 20 Filipino franchise concepts have already established presence overseas.

 “And we still want to grow,” the official said.

 Among these established brands include Jollibee, Bench, Penshoppe, Max’s Restaurant, Yellow Cab and Karimadon, among others. He said new brand names have also started penetrating abroad, namely Oryspa, Bibingkinitan and Teriyaki Boy, among others.

 Lim noted he wants to see more Filipino franchise brands to penetrate the international markets.

 Lim also said the Philippine franchising industry sees a 10-12 percent growth this year as it expects the Philippine economy to continue expanding this year, mainly supported by robust domestic consumption. — (FREEMAN)