CEBU CITY -- Business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs gathered on Thursday, July 29, at the start of the ‘Franchise Negosyo para as Cebu’ expo at SM Seaside City-Cebu.
Organized by the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA), the franchise exhibit will run until Saturday, July 30.
“Franchise Negosyo para as Cebu will be PFA’s first face-to-face expo since the Covid-19 lockdowns,” said PFA Chairman Sherill Quintana.
“We are happy to hold it in Cebu which has always been a key mover in the economy,” Quintana added.
City Mayor Mike Rama graced the opening of the exhibit where he asked the support of the franchisers and the business community in his administration’s bid to transform the city into a Singapore-like place.
“The time has come for us to be one. Singapore-like Cebu City. Are you with me on this? Are you?” he asked the expo participants.
Rama assured that the city will support the businesses and in reviving the country’s economy.
The expo features several business franchises from food and beverage, retail, and services.
It will showcase international, national and homegrown Cebu franchises such as 7-Eleven, Max’s Restaurant, Phoenix Petroleum, Seaoil, The Generics Pharmacy and Tea Talk.
The three-day event also featured the ‘How to Invest in the Right Franchise and How to Franchise your Business’ where PFA President Chris Lim served as one of the speakers.
“This makes our expo a one-stop shop for people looking for a business or for business owners who want to grow their business via franchising,” said Lim, who is also president of Francorp Philippines and the franchise developer behind franchise mega brands like Jollibee, Potato Corner, and TGP, among others.
The PFA encouraged business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs to consider franchising especially with the country’s improved Covid-19 situation.
“With our economy opening up again, now is the right time to go into franchising,” said Kenneth Lim, PFA Regional Director for Visayas.