Franchisers report solid membership growth

The Association of Filipino Franchisers, Inc. (AFFI) recently reported substantial growth in its membership base, according to an association officer.

Jose Carlos “JC” Martinez, AFFI vice president for education, said when the group started in 1997, there were only about seven members. Now, AFFI’s members total 180 members, a new milestone for the country’s premier organization of entrepreneurs.

This development further shows that entrepreneurship and franchising continue to be an attractive business model for Filipinos who want to put up a business of their own.

Of the total, Martinez said 64 percent are involved in the food industry, with 22 percent in the services business, 13 percent in the retail sector and the remaining 1 percent in other industries.

The 180 brands, Martinez said, has 32,000 stores in operation.

The ratio of franchisors to franchisees is pegged at 1:30.

“We have franchisors who have grown their franchisee base exponentially, with some franchisees reaching 400 or as high as 700,” Martinez said in a report presented to the AFFI board of directors and members.

He said the 32,000 stores in operation provide quality employment to more than 120,000 Filipinos without jobs or who are underemployed.

“We are proud of the fact that our members and their franchisees are able to provide answers to one of Filipinos’ many concerns, which is employment,” Martinez adds.

Martinez also invited AFFI members to upcoming events such as the regular “PresidenTEA (Thought, Exchange, Activity)” sessions, the first AFFI-nity Franchise and Business Summit on September 22, 2018 at the Blue Leaf Filipinas in Aseana City, Parañaque City, the blood-letting drive in Ali Mall on October 2018 in partnership with Quezon City 3rd District Councilor Allan Reyes and the Dugong Alay, Dugtong Buhay Foundation, and their biggest event, the AFFI Franchise and Business Expo, which will be held 1-2 February 2019, with the theme “Galing ng Pinoy.”

The AFFI is led by its president, Marie Joyce Co Yu, Enrique Pablo “Eric” Caeg, chairman and Byron Lim Cheung, executive vice president. Other members of the AFFI board of directors are Jelyn Chung, corporate secretary; Willen Ma, treasurer; Edgardo Paras, auditor; Jorge Noel Wieneke III, vice president for membership; Paul Andrew Tan, vice president for PR and marketing and Martinez. The AFFI Secretariat is composed of Rafael Canare, programs and advocacy consultant; Melisa Gonzales, communications and membership; Marimar Cervantes, finance officer and Jakeson Canales, liaison officer.

Special guests during the HAFFI Hour were Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Martin Andanar and Trade Secretary Ramon “Mon” Lopez, who noted AFFI’s advocacy of entrepreneurship and expressed support to the country’s entrepreneurs.