Ghost kitchen opens first physical store, launches new dishes
MANILA, Philippines — From ghost kitchen or delivery-only restaurant, Illo's opened their first physical store in BF Homes, Paranaque.
In an interview with Philstar.com, the brand’s business development director Mark Anthony Agapito and CEO and Chef N Rovillos said they received clamor from their patrons, that’s why they decided to have a physical store.
“As the economy opens up na, more people are now going out. Yung iba gusto ng change of environment. Imaginin mo naman dalawang taon kang na-stuck sa bahay so gusto nilang lumabas na so don kami nagkaroon ng change of heart na bakit hindi tayo mag-restaurant since yung mga tao hinahanap din kung kalian kami magkakaroon ng restaurant so this is our answered call sa aming mga loyal lovies,” Agapito said.
Illo’s Home also launched new dishes in their menu at their physical store, such as Fajitas, Cheese Flautas, Chimichanga for appetizers, Asian with Kesong Puti Salad, and Seafood Jamabalaya Paella.
For pasta lovers, there’s Pesto Cream with Chicken, as well as Agli Olio Seafood and Vongole. Main dishes include Ribeye Steak, Crackling Pork Belly and Tuna Nicoise. For soup, there’s Drunken Mussel with Blue Cheese. Sweet Spaghetti with Corndog, Southern Chicken with Rice are also included in the menu for children.
Starting with three employees, the restaurant has now over a hundred staff members. The owners noted that their employees are the secret of their success.
“Yung success ng Illo’s is entirely because of the people who’ve been with us from the very beginning. The first people in mind to us is not really the clients, but the employees,” Agapito said.
“Sila yung natanggal noong pandemic, mga dishwasher, mga nagtatrabaho sa kusina, ngayon sila na ang head chefs sa amin. The principle is employees first because if you have satisfied employees, the employees will take care of the clients,” Rovillos added.
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