HOMEGROWN-RESTAURANT Penong's is taking a big leap this 2019 as it expands to more areas in the country.
This year the food company is eyeing the establishment of 20 more stores in the Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
Currently in the pipeline are 11 branches. However, only eight have been revealed -- Catalunan Grande, Matina Aplaya, and Maa in Davao City, Arellano in Tagum City, Bogo in Cebu, Puerto Princesa in Palawan, Dumaguete, and Pagadian.
Henry Mahilum, Penong's vice president for operations, said during Penong's Big Leap 2019 at the Apo View Hotel that two of the upcoming 11 branches are stored owned while the rest are franchises. The stores will open by May of this year.
Aside from the branches in the Visayas and Mindanao, Mahilum said Penong's has received franchise inquiries from Tarlac, Naga, Bicol, Dagupan, Bulacan, and Parañaque.
However, for their first branch in Luzon they are looking at putting up a company-owned restaurant at the SM Mall of Asia (MOA).
“I have talked with the MOA management but puno siya (it’s full). However, ang binigay sa amin (they gave us the) SM by the Bay. I need somebody to check on the site,” Mahilum said.
He said the first branch in Luzon must be company-owned to ensure that there is a support for the franchises and also it allows them to pinpoint areas that they need to adjust on for their branches there.
Penong's currently has 31 stores in the Visayas and Mindanao. The branches in Matina, Ponciano, and Sta. Ana are company owned while the rest are franchises.