Banking on ‘flat bread’ for dough

SEEING an opportunity in franchising, Kevin Lance D. Lim, 22, launched on Saturday the Big Flat Bread (BFB), a pizza house at The Ridges on F. Cabahug St. in Mabolo, Cebu City.

While many young people are afraid to risk their chances in business, Lim said he opted to test the waters at a young age to create a foundation for his future.

Motivation and confidence fuel aspiring entrepreneurs, he said, and franchising is a wise start for new players.

“It helps you save money. You only pay for the system, manage it well and believe in the product,” said Lim, a graduate of business administration with a major in entrepreneurship from the University of San Carlos.

After working as brand associate in International Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for seven months, he ventured into business at 21.

Although currently in the food business, Lim said that with capital and experience, he wants to pursue on his own an enterprise related to construction supply, which is likely to be a hardware.

BFB, the first local pizza franchise in Cebu, is Lim’s second franchise outing next to Dong Juan Restaurant at J Center Mall on A.S. Fortuna St. in Mandaue City.

Lim said he tasted the pioneer BFB in Cagayan and with P500,000, decided to bring it to Cebu via his brother’s close friend, franchisor Jim Anthony Uy, president of the three-year-old collaboration company Gruppo Del Sur.

Uy said that Lim will be prioritized by the time he’s ready to start his own BFB, describing the young entrepreneur as aggressive and excited about the franchising scheme.

While browsing through Cebu’s pizza scene, Lim said he realized the absence of an outlet that offers oversized pieces of international quality pizza.

Officially opened on Jan. 18 in time for the Sinulog revelry, BFB, as per Lim, is a pocket-friendly pizza place where everyone can enjoy. Priced from P148 to P1,768 depending on size and flavor, BFB pizza is served in 12, 18 and 30-inch wedges. The latter is customizable and customers can choose up to four flavors in one piece beginning at P1,350 to P1,550.

The 55-square-meter pizza house accommodates 30 persons and is open for parties and events. BFB Cebu is the chain’s fifth outlet nationwide.