A HOMEGROWN Mexican-inspired restaurant chain is eyeing a total of 10 outlets in the country before the end of the year.
Mooon Café, now owned and managed by Pages Holdings Inc., just opened its fourth company-owned outlet last Aug. 12 at Parkmall, Mandaue City.
The company is scheduled to open a fifth company-owned outlet in November this year at Robinsons Cybergate Cebu in Fuente Osmeña, Cebu City.
Yesterday, the first franchise outlet of Mooon Café opened in Cagayan de Oro City.
Franchised outlets are expected to open at the Grand Gaisano Mall Mactan in October, at Robinsons Mall Dumaguete City in November, at SM North Edsa in Quezon City in November and one in Davao City within the year.
“Having ten outlets by the end of the year is (achievable),” said Bunny Pages, chairman of Pages Holdings Inc.
The company bought Mooon Café from its original owners two years ago for about P700,000, invested P3 million for the renovation of the original branch located in Guadalupe, and reopened it in June 2007.
Pages Holdings executive vice president John Pages said their expansion experience with one of their businesses, Thirsty Juices and Shakes, has prepared them for the expansion of Mooon Café.
Growth factors
Bunny attributed the growth of the company’s first restaurant venture to their good food, affordable pricing and ambiance.
Young professionals and families continue to flock to the restaurant chain that is being managed by Charlie Pages.
John said the outlets’ strategic location is one factor in the success of the business.
The second branch opened at The Walk, at Asiatown IT (information technology) Park in June 2008 and third at The Terraces in Ayala Center Cebu in December last year.
The company invested at least P4 million for its fourth outlet at Parkmall, where it occupies 130 square meters. The outlet is designed with a capacity of 100 persons.
Pages Holdings continues to receive inquiries from potential franchises who want to open outlets in Manila where the challenge lies in “getting the right location” with plenty of foot traffic, Bunny said.
The company contracted RK Franchise Consultancy to help organize the restaurant’s franchising system.
Mooon Café’s franchise fee in Luzon is P1 million and P800,000 in the Visayas and Mindanao. Return on investment for franchise outlets is estimated to be 16 months.
Bunny disclosed that the company is open to franchisees who want to put up Mooon Café outlets outside the Philippines through a licensing scheme.
Apart from Thirsty and Mooon Café, Pages Holdings Inc. also owns and operates Playhouse Children’s Center, My Playroom Kids Care Center and Bright Academy.
It also acquired a 50-percent stake in Taters Snack League Cebu. It plans to open a second Taters outlet in Cebu at SM IMAX Theater in November.
