MESA restaurant group renewed last week the contract of Kapuso star and Family Feud host Dingdong Dantes as its brand ambassador. The dining chain owned by FooDee Global Concepts unveiled its plans to open 100 branches by 2025 and they believe Dingdong can help them with this goal.
The actor was candid in saying that he wants to be the franchise owner of Mesa branch no. 88, and would like to give it as a gift to his wife Marian Rivera. The number 88 symbolizes fortune and good luck in Chinese culture.
Dingdong said his wanting to own a restaurant should come as no surprise because "growing up, I was a foodie and I really love Filipino dishes."
The entertainment industry remains his bread and butter, but he maintains that entrepreneurship runs in his blood. Dingdong owns the indie film studio Agostos Dos Pictures and is also the CEO of Doorbell Technologies which runs a delivery app.
"Lover ako ng classic Filipino dishes. I love that in MESA, they pay homage to our well-loved dishes while giving them a twist to add a bit of excitement. It speaks a lot about our modern families and the modern dishes we now enjoy at home," he remarked.
Dingdong pointed out that he partnered with MESA because the brand aligns with his values and principles. "It's not easy being in the food business. It needs focus and dedication. Sometimes, your whole life will revolve around it. That's why it's best to depend on people like Rikki and Eric. Their unparalleled track record in the industry spells success."
One thing Dingdong loves about being MESA ambassador is the fact that his standee is placed outside every restaurant. "A lot of my friends and relatives are messaging me about it. It's just like I am present, eating with them," he quipped.
Dingdong's contract signing was held at MESA in Rockwell Power Plant Mall, Makati City. He was joined by his manager Perry Lansigan and top executives of FooDee Global Concepts led by Chief Operating Officer Eric Dee, Chief Executive Officer Rikki Dee and Director of National Operations Raymond Federigan.
"In 2019 we were on track to become 100 stores by 2021, but then the pandemic hit. Luckily we had a few closures only for our network. So now we want to speed up opening more branches nationwide and even abroad, like the US and UAE," Eric Dee noted.
Dee said that they chose Dingdong because the actor "shares the MESA brand values and embodies the character of a wholesome and modern Filipino family man."
Dingdong revealed that his favorites in MESA are the laing, turon and the chain's best-selling "crispchon" - crispy, deep-fried piglet wrapped in malunggay crepe with cucumber, leeks, wansoy and served with four sauces that has been adjudged as the "best crispchon in the world" by Taste Atlas.
The MESA menu also boasts of mouthwatering selections like Pomelo Salad, Tinapa Roll, Crunchy Pork Sisig, Binagoongang Baboy ni Kaka, Bicol Express, sinigang in pineapple, crispy leche flan and sapin-sapin 2 ways.