WITH 21 restaurants under its belt, The Abaca Group has big plans in the coming years, including a foray into hospitality.
As it opened its ninth Abaca Baking Company branch at the Robinsons Galleria, the group is moving its commissary to a bigger location to accommodate its expansion plans.
Abaca Group director for operations Patrick Corpuz said that they will soon open another Abaca Baking Company branch at the fourth level of the Ayala Center Cebu, which will serve as its training store.
It will also open its largest branch yet--around 230 square meters--at the SM Seaside City, mimicking the Galleria branch’s look. The group will also be opening a branch of Luncheonette at the SM City Cebu.
Corpuz admitted they are busy, as they are completing their hotel property The Reef, which will open by the third quarter next year and includes five food and beverage outlets all managed by Abaca. They are also looking forward to managing the Citadines’ food and beverage outlets next year.
Expanding out of Cebu is also being looked into in two to three years.
Corpuz said they are considering a partnership to operate Phat Pho, Red Lizard and Abaca Baking Company in Manila. They are also eyeing opening branches of the Abaca Baking Company in Bacolod and Davao, although he says none of these plans are confirmed yet.
He said they are careful about their expansion plans and would want to be on top of the decision-making processes, rather than turn over everything to a franchisor where they are not sure if their concept is replicated exactly the way they want it.
“We do not have to be everywhere. We want to do our expansion properly,” he said.
The group is also mulling coming up with another restaurant concept next year, something the group wants to do every three years.
He says their goal is to be able to promise each guest that they can deliver the best every time they visit.
“We want to create a local brand out of Cebu,” he said.
From using locally sourced materials for their furnishings and decor to having their own special blends of teas and coffees, the Abaca Group aims for perfection.
“We want to be on top of our game. We want to be a leader in everything and never settle for mediocrity,” said Corpuz. (MEA)