MANILA, Philippines – The Association of Filipino Franchisers, Inc. (AFFI) aims to prepare entrepreneurs for ASEAN 2015 Integration in the upcoming Filipino Franchise Show this October 3-5 at the World Trade Center.
With the theme “ASEAN Integration through franchising”, this year’s event will be composed of exhibits of franchises, product and services of support industries, regional products and services, retailers and distributors.
“The upcoming ASEAN 2015 integration is expected to act as a further impetus for AFFI members to go overseas. The integration opens up the region’s capital and labor markets to competition. This is expected to lead an influx of foreign franchise brands into the country,” said AFFI on its press release.
AFFI Chairman Ricardo Cuna, said that the ASEAN integration is more of a challenge for Filipino entrepreneurs to be competitive worldwide.
AFFI Vice President Teresita Ngan Tian is confident that the food franchise sector will be able to contend with other global brands with the increasing population. Foreign brands already competing with local brands are a part of integration.
The Filipinos’ flexibility is best exemplified by Potato Corner. The said Filipino brand has expanded globally to 84 branches (mostly in Indonesia and the United States) after adapting its menu and store set up to cater to the needs of the country they have ventured into.
AFFI Chairman Armando Bartolome cited that the double-decker jeepney is one of the things to watch out for at the upcoming Franchise Show. This 40-seater, diesel-powered food business venture that has been travelling all over the world (like in London) will be there for licensing.
The First Franchisee Conference
The Filipino ASEAN Franchise Conference is also a part of the show as mentioned by AFFI President Victor Fernando during the press launch and partnership sealing ceremony.
The franchising industry has grown over the past 20 years and though the franchisees form an important business portion, there has never been a formal conference directed to existing franchisees until now. The first Franchisee Conference with the theme “Turning your Franchise Investment to Success”, aims to empower franchisees to skyrocket their businesses to success. It also serves as an opportunity to network with other franchisees. The basics of franchising, customer service, branding and international franchisees benchmarks for success will be discussed.
Representatives from ASEAN countries are invited to the conference to share their franchisee experiences. Fernando said that it will be an opportune time for members to become franchise competitive through vis informative discussions. While Filipino brands are perceived to be at par with the ASEAN neighbors, AFF member should be globally competitive and for aim world class recognition.
Association of the Filipino Franchisers Inc. (AFFI)
The Association of the Filipino Franchisers Inc. (AFFI) is the Philippines’ prime trade organization committed to promoting responsible micro small medium enterprise businesses through franchising. It has grown from 112 to 218 members comprising Filipino corporate presidents, CEOs, and prominent businessmen who recognize the competitive potential of the local franchising industry in the global market.
Duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the association serves as a governing body that safeguards the interest of its members and innovates ways to further its advocacies. While AFFI is active in educating aspiring entrepreneurs in the intricacies of the franchising trade, it takes care in employing strict measure to screen out its roster of franchisors.