One of the country’s most popular food franchises, Potato Corner, has come under online criticism over allegations that it took over locations belonging to its own franchisees, prompting calls for a boycott of the brand.

A businessman, speaking to DAILY TRIBUNE, urged the public to reconsider the boycott, warning that such actions could hurt franchise owners and stall employees.

“As a normal person, I hope lang talaga walang boycott kasi ang kawawa ay negosyante at service crew,” he said.

The controversy began after a Facebook post by user yoyo_b0i accused Potato Corner of questionable business practices. The post described a friend’s attempt to apply for a franchise.

“A friend of mine tried to apply for a franchise of Potato Corner. She submitted a proposal with her preferred location, target customers, and justification. She was confident it would be approved. Weeks later, no response came, yet a new branch appeared at her chosen location under a different franchisee. See how sketchy the business practice is,” the post read.

Another Facebook user later shared a similar experience, claiming that their franchise was not renewed, only for a branch to open in the same area under another franchisee.

In response, Potato Corner addressed the concerns through its official Facebook page on Wednesday.

“We hear you. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. At Potato Corner, we take these matters very seriously. Incidents like these do not align with our values, standards, and policies. Our franchisees are our partners, and our growth has always been built on shared success. We do not take actions that intentionally disadvantage the very entrepreneurs who help grow our brand.”

The company said it has reached out privately to those who raised the concerns to verify details and address the claims. While it has yet to receive responses, Potato Corner said its lines remain open for communication.

“Together with our internal investigation, we hope to address these concerns properly. We want to reassure our franchise community that preventive controls are in place to ensure fair and appropriate site selection. We remain committed to responsible practices and win-win outcomes across the Potato Corner community,” the statement concluded.