Homegrown franchises see ASEAN as challenge

Homegrown Filipino franchisers should view the full Asean economic integration in 2015 as a challenge rather than as purely competition in nature.

“It is really an awakening for us to level up. It is more of a challenge than a competition,” said Milkin’ Corp. president and chief executive officer Richie Z. Cuna during a press conference for the 2014 Filipino Franchise Show slated on October 3-5 at the World Trade Center to help promote this sector.

Cuna said that with the regional economic integration, entry of foreign franchises cannot be prevented anymore, in the same manner that Filipino franchisers are also expanding overseas.

“At least a dozen of our members have already opened franchises abroad. We are going global,” said Cuna, who is the chairman of this year’s franchise show.

To help the existing franchisees gear up for ASEAN 2015, AFFI is also organizing the 1st Franchisee’s Conference on October 1 with the theme “Turning Your Franchise Investment to Success”.

The conference envisions existing franchisees to develop business synergy and networking with other franchisees. It will assist them as they manage their own franchise branches.

The conference shall serve as a learning opportunity for franchisees as they listen to other franchisees talk about their successes as well as their challenges.

Part of the conference will also be a walk through with franchisees on the basics of franchising. This discussion will eliminate the franchisees misconceptions and myths they have on franchising. Basics of franchising will set the record straight on what really is franchising.

A discussion will also focus on international franchisees benchmarks for success.  An appreciation of these benchmarks will allow franchisees an opportunity to put their own benchmarks to higher levels.

Speakers of the 1st Franchisee Conference are franchisees themselves who have been franchisees for over 20 years. They will share their experiences and their stories will surely encourage franchisees become successful in their own franchise branches.

AFFI groups a total of 118 homegrown small and medium Filipino franchising companies which have a total of 19,312 stores in the country employing 135,184 people.

The most affordable AFFI franchises are engaged in food court business with investments range of between P300,000 to P350,000. Financing support from the Bank of Philippine Islands only shows that banks have faith in the franchising sector as one of the most successful business models.

AFFI is expected to grow 20 percent this year from both in terms of sales and number of franchises. In 2013, the 118 AFFI members reported estimated combined total sales of P63.4 billion.

sourcE:  Manila Bulletin