Gulf nations eyeing Pinoy food franchise

CEBU, Philippines — The Middle East is opening more opportunities for Filipino companies as interest for franchise is seen to favor Pinoy brands.

One of the territories where franchising is flourishing is the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which is a regional political organization comprising the energy rich Gulf monarchies. These are Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, and United Arab Emirates (UAE), said Franchise consultant Rudolf Kotik.

Kotik, who is the founder of RK Franchise Consultancy Inc. is now doing an intensive marketing development works in these areas in order to take advantage of the stimulating market in the Middle East.

Kotik partnered with middle-eastern businessman Ahmed Alarfaj to create a franchise firm called Franaccess to assist the investors find the right master franchise and help them on the legal aspects of acquiring several licenses, and other documentary requirements.

"We spend at least a week to three weeks a month in the different areas in Middle East. It is a good market for franchising," said Kotik in an interview yesterday.

Its move for intensive penetration in the Middle East is also in preparation for the upcoming two-day "Franchise Expo" on October 17 -18, 2017 to be held in Dubai.

According to Kotik, Filipino companies, especially those into food, (except for pork) are the hottest demand for franchise in the middle east.

He said about 90 percent of the interest capitalists are inquiring about food related businesses that are already successful in the Philippines.

"It’s anything edible as long as it does not involve pork," he said.

Interestingly, he said Middle Eastern companies are not interested to get business franchise for Filipino brands just because of the growing Filipinos working there, but their main target markets are the locals.

"It has nothing to do with Filipino market there. It’s for the local domestic market there," Kotik said, although he said the presence of Filipinos in every corner in the Middle East is also a good advantage for Filipino brands there.

Aside from food, middle eastern businessmen are also attracted to Filipino brands that are into vanity related products and services.

Already, Kotik is already helping Gerry's Grill and Bacolod Chicken BBQ House, among others.

At present, Kotik said there are five Filipino brands that are on the process of completing their franchise system for middle east, these are; The Reading Station, YTC Tutorial Services, Vivi Facial, Nails.Glow, and Mr. Softy Icecream. (FREEMAN)