Demand for “ground zero” service on the rise

CEBU, Philippines – The high-yielding business environment in the Philippines has opened the demand for “ground zero” development service as more Filipinos now want to start their own business.

Franchising consultant Rudolf Kotik said that following the popularity of the franchise system, Filipinos now are hungry to start any business of their own, needing experts to help them start and eventually grow.

“People are much more clever now. They know that  professional/experts’ advice is crucial when starting a business. That is why ground zero development service is getting popular nowadays,” said Kotik, owner of   RK Franchise Consultancy Inc.

Ground-zero developers prepare the feasibility and business plan of the company, and  the development of franchise system once the business can stand on its own.

For this year alone, Kotik’s company already worked with 20 entrepreneurs, mostly in their 20s, whose interest are into the health and wellness businesses, food,  as well as services.

A growing number of entrepreneurs who are in their 30s and 40s are also starting new businesses, Kotik said.

The business climate may be good, people may have the money to invest but having an expert to guide the new entrepreneurs could minimize the risk of failing.

Meanwhile, Kotik said that Filipino brands are becoming hot franchise opportunities of Arab capitalists, in fact more Philippine  brands are now present in Middle Eastern countries through master franchise deals.

Local brands which are successful in the home ground have high possibility of expanding overseas via franchise.

Kotik said the Arabs are interested to bring in to their countries the hottest Philippine  restaurants, spa and beauty salons  via franchise deals.

“Arab companies are extremely active in buying franchise brands from the Philippines, maybe because they have good working relationships with Filipinos in their countries, or they have closer Filipino connections,” said Kotik.

This is very timely as local companies are also looking at expanding not just in the home turf but also outside the Philippines most especially to the Middle Eastern countries like the United Arab Emirates,  Oman, Qatar,  and Kuwait, among others. — Ehda M. Dagooc (FREEMAN)