Concept stores, drive-thru options, and cyclist-friendly table are among the latest moves of food brands and shops
During the pandemic, food brands and restaurants explored different ways to keep their businesses afloat. From to-go meals and ready-to-cook products to alfresco dining, the food and restaurant industry went above and beyond to continue their services without compromising the quality of their products.
While the Philippines is on the brink of seeing its post-pandemic world, brands and restaurants, even food spots, still continue to adapt to the changes in the lifestyle of today's diners. They carry on by tweaking and augmenting their service, ultimately giving customers a new dining experience.
Food trailer store and drive-thru
As to-go meals are still on the rise as limited customers are allowed to dine inside stores, food brands are adapting to food truck-like and drive-thru operations where service is quick and safe.
Confectionery food brands such as Dunkin' Donuts PH and Conti's Bakeshop and Restaurants launched this year stores that offer drive-thru service for motorists and cyclists, which gained positive reviews among their patrons.
Tokyo Tokyo has not been shy in introducing rewarding meals in the past. This time, it is brings a new Wagyu experience with its latest offering, the Wagyu Katsu Bento (P195), a meal composed of fried Wagyu beef coated in crunchy Japanese bread crumbs, tonkatsu sauce, vegetable misono, and unlimited rice. The food label also launches its new trailer stores. Its Tokyo Tokyo Express Stores will be present in more than 40 locations all over the country, some even operating for 24 hours.
Cyclist-friendly tables
The lack of safe transportation has been among the many issues Filipino workforce faced during the initial months of the pandemic. This has pushed many to bring out their bikes and ride them on again. And even up to this day, many are still pedaling their way around the metro.
To create a more cyclist-friendly dining spot, BGC mall Market! Market! launched last June a pit stop for cyclists to enjoy a quick bite without worrying where to park their wheels. At its alfresco Central Plaza Stop Bite, tables with bike racks are installed where cyclists can eat while standing beside their bikes or dine without leaving their bike seats.
Concept store
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to challenge businesses in all sorts of new ways, some have been doing well considering the circumstances. 7-Eleven, exclusively licensed by Philippine Seven Corporation (PSC) in the country, is one of those franchise businesses that have done considerably well.
An example of its success is its 7-Eleven x Heineken concept store launched last May. Located at Tomas Morato cor. Sct. Lozano in Quezon City. The concept store, in partnership with global beer brand Heineken, is the first-ever branded 7-Eleven concept store in the Philippines.
"The plan for the 7-Eleven x Heineken store is for it to function as an alternative to a regular bar," PSC’s COO and the mind behind the project, Yi-Jung Lee, says. "In the store, customers can enjoy a selection of snacks and even stock up on essential grocery items while sneaking in some time to relax and enjoy Heineken drinks in a bar-like ambiance, all without feeling the need to dress up."
The PSC wanted to deliver a unique and new 7-Eleven customer experience in the country. So, the design team fused Heineken’s distinctly international brand experience with 7-Eleven’s brand of convenience. The result is a branded industrial bar look and ambiance highlighting Heineken’s green tones inside and out. The two-story building also features a cozy-chic area on the second floor where customers can enjoy an ice-cold Heineken beer any time. The concept store provides the perfect balance of convenience and premium enjoyment.
