Fruitas Holdings Inc., the country’s largest operator of multi-format food and beverage kiosks, expects its revenue to climb 20 percent this year as it pivots toward institutional sales and export markets to offset rising energy costs.

Lester C. Yu, Fruitas president and chief executive officer, said the company is betting on a mix of product diversification and store expansion to maintain growth momentum despite macroeconomic headwinds.

Yu explained that the company’s topline will be bolstered by new offerings from its Jamaican Patty and Ling Nam brands, alongside the push into third-party food services.

A significant portion of the company’s strategic shift involves moving beyond the domestic retail market. Fruitas is currently developing an export line that includes non-traditional products such as virgin coconut oil, soaps, and lotions.

“We’re working on our export business and tapping those who will distribute our products abroad,” Yu said, adding they want to transition from a purely local refreshment provider to a diversified consumer goods exporter.

To support this growth, Fruitas has earmarked ₱120 million in capital expenditure for the year. The lion’s share of that budget, approximately ₱90 million, is allocated for the rollout of 100 new locations. These will be split across its kiosk, community store, and restaurant formats. The remaining funds are designated for commissary upgrades and logistics, including ₱10 million for the acquisition of new delivery trucks.

While the group faces rising operating expenses due to the surge in global oil and gas prices, Yu signaled that Fruitas will absorb these costs rather than passing them on to consumers.

The company operates a fleet of roughly 200 vehicles and manages hundreds of outlets directly, leaving its margins vulnerable to energy fluctuations.

However, Yu noted that the company intends to maintain its current price points to avoid exacerbating local inflationary pressures.

The company’s optimistic outlook follows a robust performance in the first quarter, which Yu described as “organically strong” even before the deployment of new marketing initiatives.

To further stimulate demand, the group has tapped actor Alden Richards as a brand ambassador, a move expected to drive foot traffic across its network.

Despite the volatility introduced by international conflicts and supply chain disruptions, Yu remains confident that the group’s diversified revenue streams will shield it from a significant slowdown.