By Jhon Aldrin Casinas
A family-owned company that operates the popular burger joint “Angel’s Burger” opened its state-of-the-art commissary in Marikina City on Sunday.
(JHON ALDRIN CASINAS / MANILA BULLETIN)
“The commissary here in Marikina could serve branches as far as Batangas and Bulacan,” said Victoria Mojica, who founded the business with her husband Joseph in 1997.
Joseph Mojica, who also celebrated his birthday on Sunday, said the commissary is equipped with patty- and sausage-making machines that were purchased from Germany.
The commissary, its 11th in the entire country, is also run by at least 500 workers, who mostly are residents of Marikina City, he added.
“This is what we are proud of and I invite the public to visit our factory to see how clean, and the quality of products we produce,” Joseph said in Filipino.
With its signature slogan “Ang Burger ng Bayan”, Angel’s Burger offers affordable “buy-one-take-one” burgers that are hugely popular among Filipinos due to its value.
The Buy-one-take-one tale
Recalling its humble beginnings in Sikatuna Village in Quezon City 22 years ago, Joseph said he wanted to sell the business after several unsuccessful attempts.
The turning point of the venture, Joseph recalled, was when his classmate purchased a franchise of the burger joint.
“He had his franchise in Cubao. When we opened it, he was also the crew and the cook,” Joseph said.
“His kiosk became popular and he opened more franchises,” he added.
Since 1997, Victoria said Angel’s Burger has had its buy-one-take-on burger deal, and back then it was only priced for P18.50.
From its first few branches in Metro Manila two decades ago, the family-owned business now has over 1300 Angel’s Burger branches and kiosks nationwide that produces over 30 tons of burgers per day.
Over the years, the prices of their burgers have gone up. Now, a buy-one-take-one burger without cheese costs P28.
According to Victoria, this was because of the increase in the prices of beef in the market.
Key to success
Joseph said the bulk of products they could sell everyday was the key to the success of their business.
“Ako kasi, di bali nang maliit ang kita, basta marami. ‘Yun siguro yung key kaya lumaki ‘yung Angel’s,” Joseph said.
Joseph encouraged those who want to put up their first business to try franchising a business that is already established.
“Kasi itong mga restaurant or mga kiosk na ‘to, proven na kilala na sila, kasi napakahirap gumawa ng pangalan.
“Talagang maraming taon ang uubusin para makilala ka,” he said.
“Dapat mahal at gusto mo rin yung ginagawa mo,” he added.