Franchising

The Franchise Institute of the Philippines (FIP) and the Association of Filipino Franchisers Inc. (AFFI ) are touring key provincial cities for a four-month road show to propagate entrepreneurship throughout the country via responsible franchising.

The Department of Trade and Industry Trade Undersecretary for Regional Operations Merly Cruz, recognizing that franchising has now become a favorite mode of entry for start-up entrepreneurs, has already issued directives to her regional directors ordering them to help in facilitating the seminars that will be conducted in their respective areas.

Armando Bartolome, dubbed as the Philippine Franchising Guru, is heading the road show with representatives from AFFI member-companies.

Bartolome said while franchising has become a potent means to stimulate the economy during this economic slowdown, some unscrupulous groups have used it to further only their self-interest and not the interest of all parties in the franchise relations.

This double-edged reality in the franchising scene, Bartolome said, has pushed the FIP and AFFI to undertake the road show that is envisioned to enlighten participants on what franchising really is.

"The seminar shall impart knowledge on the proper steps to take if one decides to join the franchising bandwagon. Participants will also be given a realistic perspective on franchising, considering its successes as well as failures. More importantly, schemes of 'pseudo-franchisors' will be discussed so that participants will know what to avoid before they part with their hard earned funds," Bartolome said.

Among the topics to be discussed by Bartolome in the seminars are: The Basics of Franchising; Successful Ways to Invest in a Franchise; Responsible and Psuedo Franchising; and Success and Failures-How and Why?

Bartolome, who heads the FIP and GMB Franchise Developers, has over 29 years of experience in the franchising industry, helping develop the franchise systems of several companies including Goto King, Lots a Pizza, Kodak Express, Super Bowl of China, Fiorgelato , Godiva Skincare, YSA Skincare , Mang Inasal, Generika Drugstore, Holy Kettle Corn and Bayad Center of Meralco.  He is the director for Education of AFFI and regularly writes for the Entrepreneur Philippines Magazine and www.Entrepreneur.com.ph.

The road show will have its first stop in Davao City on November 26, 2009 at Antonio's Bar and Grill. It will then head to Cagayan De Oro in Tita Fannie's Liempo and Chicken Haus on November 28.

The rest of the road show schedule is as follows:

Region 3: Central Luzon--January 2010            

• January 12 -- Malolos, Bulacan
• January 13 -- Balanga, Bataan
• January 14 -- San Fernando, Pampanga
• January 15 -- Angeles City
• January 19 -- Tarlac City, Tarlac
• January 20 -- Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija
  

Cordillera Autonomous Region--January 2010                    

• January 22 -- Baguio City 

Region IV-A: Calabarzon-- February 2010

• February 17 -- Calamba, Laguna
• February 18 --  * Lucena City, Quezon
• February 19 -- * Lipa City, Batangas
• February 20 -- * Cavite City, Cavite
  

Region 6: Western Visayas -- March 2010

• March 16 -- Bacolod City, Negros Occidental
• March 18-- Iloilo City, Iloilo
• March 20 -- Roxas City, Capiz
  

Representatives of the AFFI member-firms will also be introducing their franchising concepts to the target audience that includes entrepreneurs, overseas Filipino workers and their families, retirees, employees, the academe, and college students.

Interested parties may contact the FIP at (02) 359 6801, (0922) 8328390 or via e-mail to franchisemarketingphil@gmail.com.

 
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