As most quarantine restrictions had eased amid the still lingering Covid 19 pandemic, the restaurant business is getting back on track and is targeting sales to return to their pre-pandemic health.

In an interview, Geraldine Austero, marketing head of the Japanese chain of restaurants TokyoTokyo said they made adjustments to cope with the ill effects of the pandemic after pivoting from strictly the brick-and-mortar way of marketing their products and the brand itself.

"We pivoted in terms of launching our trailers or the so-called food trucks. TokyoTokyo, before, is mostly located in the malls. So, we were badly affected because most of the malls were closed at the onset of the pandemic. We saw an opportunity for TokyoTokyo with that pivot that we did because it has brought the brand, our stores, closer to customers, making it easier for them to order or dine," she said.

She said the pandemic has forced the company to shut down branches but since the easing of the mobility restrictions, some had reopened.

"Target sales for 2022 was also reached by TokyoTokyo by the second quarter. This was primarily driven by the launch of our trailer trucks, the opening of more branches, and the reopening of those who temporarily shut down," Austero said.

She said the health crisis has indeed brought opportunities for them to innovate and come up with the TokyoTokyo trucks and said they will continue to pursue launching more branches and trucks.
"Actually, we are opening two of our TokyoTokyo Cebu trailer trucks next week. That's the goal for this year but there's a lot in store for TokyoTokyo next year," she added.

Currently, she said TokyoTokyo has already 100 trailer trucks rolling nationwide, along with its 70 restaurants in major malls in Metro Manila, North Luzon in Pampanga and Tarlac, and Laguna and Cavite.

In terms of fluctuating inflation, Austero said they are coping with the help of their good supply management team who negotiate for the best possible price so that the quality and pricing of their products are not compromised.

"Even though there is rising inflation, we try to find ways that the ingredients and the quality of our products will not be bargained and maintained," according to Austero.