“The Philippines is now the leading Asian tiger economy that is beating China's growth in franchising. With a high success rate, franchising has continued to build more successful entrepreneurs,” says Armando “Butz” Bartolome, president and founding member of the Association of Filipino Franchisers, Inc. (AFFI).
The
Philippine franchising sector remains robust with a 17 percent growth
from US$9.4 billion in 2010, to US$11 billion in sales in
2011.
Based on a University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P)
report, franchising has accounted for five percent of the country’s
total Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Organized in 1997, AFFI is
the country’s premier trade organization committed to promoting
responsible micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through
franchising. AFFI prides itself as developer of successful
homegrown franchises such as Goto King, Figaro, Lotsa Pizza, Mang
Inasal; among others, which now employ thousands of Filipinos.
To
further promote Philippine franchises and offer the public new
perspectives and opportunities in franchising, AFFI is mounting the
11th Filipino Franchise Show on Oct. 12-14, at the World Trade
Center, Pasay City. Dubbed “Galing ng Pinoy,” the franchise show
will showcase 300 exhibitors and franchise investment opportunities
from food, retail, and service industries.
“Franchising has
created an estimated 200,000 franchise outlets with an average of
four to five employees per outlet. That translates to at least a
million of job opportunities for Filipinos nationwide,” adds
Bartolome.
While the UA&P study revealed that a bulk of
franchises are located in the National Capital Region, the
Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog regions in Luzon are not far
behind. Region VII or Western Visayas and Region X or Northern
Mindanao top the list in the Vis-Min areas.
The franchising
sector’s contribution to countryside development cannot be
dismissed, according to Bartolome. “Aside from opportunity
creation, employment generation and country development,
the franchising sector is a prime mover of MSME
development.
Among AFFI’s programs which spurred MSME growth
include lectures and seminars on up to date research and development,
educational training, participation in local and international trade
shows, and opportunities for networking.
“Philippine
franchising is now fourth in the world and the leader in the ASEAN
region in terms of the number of franchise concepts and franchise
outlets. We hope to sustain its phenomenal growth by helping
franchises become globally competitive,” says Bartolome.
Referred
to as the “sunshine industry”, the franchise industry has churned
millions of dollars in investments; some brands succeeding overseas
and becoming the country’s global ambassadors.
For
more information on the exhibit call PETCO at 8325422; 832-5401/22;
email at secretariat@petcogroup.com or
call AFFI at 6540345; 8619897.
