FRANCHISING can be an effective way to combat the ill effects of the current global financial crunch, the chairperson of the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) said on Thursday.

Ma. Alegria "Bing" Sibal-Limjoco of the PFA told local media on Thursday that the franchising industry as a business sector has held its own even with the international economic crisis.

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"Despite the economic crisis, in the first quarter of this year alone, our membership has grown 15 percent," Sibal-Limjoco said.

The roster of members of PFA includes most of the household names in the retail, food, and services business sectors and now numbers to 150, she said.

Sibal-Limjoco, who was in town on Thursday, was invited by the Department of Trade and Industries (DTI 10) for a one-day Cagayan de Oro-Regional Franchise Seminar and a franchise product expo at the Empress Hall, Grand Caprice, Limketkai Center.

In cooperation with Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (Owwa 10), Sibal-Limjoco spoke to invited overseas workers who showed interest in investing in the franchising industry.

"DTI and Owwa invited us (PFA) as partners to show local investors that there are many possibilities in the franchising business," Sibal-Limjoco said.

She cited Jollibee Foods Corporation as one of the success stories of the franchising industry since it has already penetrated the international market.

"Those who invested in franchising in the '90s are now reaping the fruits of their investments. Pa-golf-golf na lang ang mga 'yan," she added in jest.

Sibal-Limjoco said that franchising is even better in these challenging times, adding that it is because it has a "win-win-win formula."

"The benefits of franchising transcends to every player in the business, from the franchiser, franchisee, to the customers themselves. That is the reason why it is a win-win-win formula," she explained.

This is not the first time Sibal-Limjoco visited Mindanao. She visited Davao city last year to give a seminar on the benefits of franchising.

Their members in the retail business are Bayo (Lyncor), Bench (Suyen Corp), Bobson/Crolific Garments, Celine, E-novation-Inke refill station, Freeway (Elle Garments Int'l, Inc.), Folded & Hung (Adenip, Inc.), General Nutrition Center, Islands Souvenirs, Kamiseta, Manels Leathergoods, Corp., Rustans Marketing, Penshoppe (Golden ABC), Plains and Prints/Raffco International Trading Corp., Sari-Sari Group of

Companies, Stores Specialists, Toby's Sports and Hobbies/TSF Systems, Unice Hija, The Generics Pharmacy, and Zen Zest.

In the food business their members are Aqua 2000 Water Tech, Inc., Aqua Best, Aqua Soft Water Systems, Inc., Arce Dairy, Aristocrat Restaurant, Bacolod Sugbahan, Blue Boz Water Refilling Station, Bigg's Diner,

Bread & Butter, Bread Connection, Brother's Burger, Buns & Pizza, Inc., Cabalen, Caf‚ Via Mare & Oyster Bar, Candy Corner, Chowking Foods Corp., The Coffee Experience, Cravings Food Services, Crystal Clear,

Dencio's Bar and Grill, Fiorgellato, Fruit Magic, Gloria Jean's Coffees, Goodah!!!, Goldilocks Bakeshop, Greenwhich Pizza, Hotshots Flame-Grilled Burgers, Jollibee Foods Corp., Julies Franchise Corp., Kenny Rogers

Roasters, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Krispy Kremes, Max's Restaurant, McDonald's, Mister Donut, Mocha Blends, Mongolian Quick Stop, Monterey Food Corp., Mrs. Fields, Padi's Point, Pancake House, Pansit Malabon

Express, Pier One Bar & Grill Holding Corp., Philippine Seven Corp., Pizza Hut, Potato Corner, Pizza Pedricos, Red Ribbon, Ribbon Fries, Sam's Evething on Stick, Shakey's, Terriyaki Boy, T.G.I.Friday's Inc., Tokyo Tokyo, Waffle Time, and Wendy's Philippines.

Their members in the services business include Arcon Franchise Systems, Ahead Tutorial & Review Center, Bare Essentials, Bayad Center, Big Apple Express Spa, Bioessence Facial & Slimming Center, Bluewater

Day Spa, California Nails & Day Spa, Cal Holdings Phils., Caltex Express Lube Center, Cartridge World, Center for International Education, Comprehensive Business Advisors, Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes,

Dermaline Facial & Skin Care Center, Digital Paradise (Netopia), Francorp, Genetic Computer Institute, Gymboree Play & Music, HBC Home & Beauty Exclusives, ICCT Computer Education, Informatics Holdings

Phils, Kameraworld, Inc., Loyola Memorial Plans, Memory Magic, Metropole Laundry, Microtel Inn, Mr. Quikie Corp., Net Surfers Club, Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation, PR Gaz Franchising Corp., Reyes Hair International Corp., Roto Rooter Phils/Drain Cleaning and Plumbing Services, Seaoil Phils, Systems Technology Institute, Inc., Unioil Petroleum Phils, Viva Video City, Well-Family Midwife Clinic, and Ystilo.