IN a world marked by uncertainty — trade wars, geopolitical tensions and inflationary pressures, among other challenges — we are reminded that if we work together, we will surmount difficulties. The good news is that the Philippines continues to shine. The Asian Development Bank has said our country is set for robust growth in 2025 and 2026, driven by strong domestic demand, infrastructure investments and a dynamic young workforce. Disruption brings opportunity, and our role is to seize it.
These were the words of Joseph Tanbuntiong, chief executive officer of Jollibee Foods Corp. Philippines and Global Jollibee Brand, who is also the president of the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA).
PH to the world, the world to PH
Franchise Asia Philippines 2025 will be held — along with the International Franchise Conference and International Franchise Expo — at the SMX Convention Center Manila from April 24 to 27. Its theme, “Building Success Together,” encapsulates what the PFA stands for in the past three decades: commitment, innovation and the unwavering belief in the power of franchising to transform lives, communities and economies. It’s more than just a catchy phrase; it’s a reflection of how franchising works at its best.
Franchise Asia Philippines is not just the country’s longest-running franchise event; it’s one of the biggest in the world.
The International Franchise Conference will gather respected leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators and changemakers who aim to stay ahead, remain resilient and inspire people amid a fast-changing world. This year’s conference will serve as a space not just for ideas but for action, where insights evolve into strategies that lead to results. It was carefully curated to bring real value to people. Conference participants will leave the event with new ideas, meaningful conversations and partnerships that will help shape a better future for businesses and the communities they serve.
Biggest franchise show in Asia
The International Franchise Expo itself is a testament to the industry’s remarkable growth, from a mall-based event when the PFA franchise show was just starting in 1993 to becoming one of the biggest of its kind in the world. More importantly, it has become an instrument in realizing the entrepreneurial dreams of countless Filipinos.
Organized by the PFA, this premier expo promises an impressive showcase of over a thousand franchise brands and business opportunities, offering visitors a one-stop shop for a wide array of franchise investment packages and business solutions. From globally recognized names to exciting emerging concepts, the expo covers multiple industries: from food and beverage, retail, education, and health and wellness to logistics and beyond.
The expo also welcomes a wider spectrum of players — tech solution and equipment providers, banks and other financial institutions, and other support services. This reflects not only the scale but also the growing diversity and dynamism of the sector. There are participants from Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and the United States. The expo continues to be a powerful platform for growth.
It’s more than an exhibition; it’s a thriving ecosystem where opportunities emerge, partnerships form and the future of franchising takes shape.
Over the years, the expo has helped thousands of entrepreneurs take their first steps, created jobs and strengthened networks. It plays a vital role in building a vibrant, inclusive and thriving franchise sector.
Beyond the trade exhibit, attendees can also gain vital insights through comprehensive franchise and business seminars. Designed to be practical and operations-focused, these sessions cover key topics that are crafted to provide actionable solutions, best practices and operational know-how and empower attendees to make informed decisions and maximize their business potential.
The expo is a strong signal that the Philippines remains a dynamic and attractive hub for investment.
Building success together
This year’s Franchise Asia theme reflects the spirit of “bayanihan,” or community spirit, where franchisors, franchisees, government agencies, suppliers and service providers come together to support and uplift one another. In today’s dynamic and competitive landscape, success is no longer a solo journey but a collective achievement powered by trust, innovation and unity.
These are the words of Joey Alvero, expo chairman and chief operating officer of Potato Corner. Euclid Cesar, CEO of Famous Belgian Waffles, is co-chairman.
Based on statistics, franchising has a higher success rate because it is anchored on a successful business model that is replicated using the systems, processes and experiences of a brand that is localized to serve the needs of the target market. Indeed, a business’ success is never built alone. It is achieved through meaningful partnerships, strengthened by collaboration and realized through a common vision — that is the essence of franchising.
Franchising embodies the spirit of cooperation, where the success of one leads to the success of many. It empowers entrepreneurs, provides jobs, uplifts families and fuels inclusive growth.
What truly defines franchising?
Beyond the numbers and the brands, we kept coming back to one powerful idea: people — the relationships we build, the values we share and the goals we work toward together. Success in the franchising industry, and in life, is built with others through partnerships and a shared commitment to move forward together.
There are the words of Steve Benitez, the overall chairman and president and CEO of Bo’s Coffee. Judy Guevara, the CEO of Minute Burger, is co-chairman.
PFA marks third decade
The PFA marks its 30 years of existence and honors the many franchise brands, entrepreneurs and visionary leaders who shaped the industry and mentored today’s champions. It confidently moves forward with renewed purpose and unity to build success together. It rallies the industry to stand united, support one another and keep building because when enterprises build together, they don’t only grow businesses, but also build a better future. Looking back, the idea of franchising was raised by Sergio Ortiz-Luiz Jr., who in 1993 presented to the Philippine Retailers Association a United States Agency for International Development study, saying that franchising was then the business model of the fastest-growing businesses. In the same year, the US-based International Franchise Association sent 10 franchise experts and brands.
The First Franchise Conference was held in 1994, a year before the formation of the PFA, which had Samie Lim as founding president and former trade secretary Jose T. Pardo as chairman. Lim is now regarded as the father of Philippine franchising, with Alegria Sibal-Limjoco as the mother. Lim’s son Chris is currently the PFA chairman.
In a first for Asia, the PFA brought to the country in 2002 the Certified Franchise Executive Program from the US-based International Certified Franchise Executive, which annually brings over franchise experts to train and certify not only Filipinos, but also executives from all over the world.
The PFA is currently the secretariat of the Asia Pacific Franchise Confederation and a member of the Task Force of the World Franchise Council, whose task is to create activities that will advance franchising globally.
There is good news in franchising. See you all in the Franchise Asia 2025, and congratulations to the PFA and its leaders, members and supporters.
-END-
SOURCE: The Manila Times
These were the words of Joseph Tanbuntiong, chief executive officer of Jollibee Foods Corp. Philippines and Global Jollibee Brand, who is also the president of the Philippine Franchise Association (PFA).
PH to the world, the world to PH
Franchise Asia Philippines 2025 will be held — along with the International Franchise Conference and International Franchise Expo — at the SMX Convention Center Manila from April 24 to 27. Its theme, “Building Success Together,” encapsulates what the PFA stands for in the past three decades: commitment, innovation and the unwavering belief in the power of franchising to transform lives, communities and economies. It’s more than just a catchy phrase; it’s a reflection of how franchising works at its best.
Franchise Asia Philippines is not just the country’s longest-running franchise event; it’s one of the biggest in the world.
The International Franchise Conference will gather respected leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators and changemakers who aim to stay ahead, remain resilient and inspire people amid a fast-changing world. This year’s conference will serve as a space not just for ideas but for action, where insights evolve into strategies that lead to results. It was carefully curated to bring real value to people. Conference participants will leave the event with new ideas, meaningful conversations and partnerships that will help shape a better future for businesses and the communities they serve.
Biggest franchise show in Asia
The International Franchise Expo itself is a testament to the industry’s remarkable growth, from a mall-based event when the PFA franchise show was just starting in 1993 to becoming one of the biggest of its kind in the world. More importantly, it has become an instrument in realizing the entrepreneurial dreams of countless Filipinos.
Organized by the PFA, this premier expo promises an impressive showcase of over a thousand franchise brands and business opportunities, offering visitors a one-stop shop for a wide array of franchise investment packages and business solutions. From globally recognized names to exciting emerging concepts, the expo covers multiple industries: from food and beverage, retail, education, and health and wellness to logistics and beyond.
The expo also welcomes a wider spectrum of players — tech solution and equipment providers, banks and other financial institutions, and other support services. This reflects not only the scale but also the growing diversity and dynamism of the sector. There are participants from Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam and the United States. The expo continues to be a powerful platform for growth.
It’s more than an exhibition; it’s a thriving ecosystem where opportunities emerge, partnerships form and the future of franchising takes shape.
Over the years, the expo has helped thousands of entrepreneurs take their first steps, created jobs and strengthened networks. It plays a vital role in building a vibrant, inclusive and thriving franchise sector.
Beyond the trade exhibit, attendees can also gain vital insights through comprehensive franchise and business seminars. Designed to be practical and operations-focused, these sessions cover key topics that are crafted to provide actionable solutions, best practices and operational know-how and empower attendees to make informed decisions and maximize their business potential.
The expo is a strong signal that the Philippines remains a dynamic and attractive hub for investment.
Building success together
This year’s Franchise Asia theme reflects the spirit of “bayanihan,” or community spirit, where franchisors, franchisees, government agencies, suppliers and service providers come together to support and uplift one another. In today’s dynamic and competitive landscape, success is no longer a solo journey but a collective achievement powered by trust, innovation and unity.
These are the words of Joey Alvero, expo chairman and chief operating officer of Potato Corner. Euclid Cesar, CEO of Famous Belgian Waffles, is co-chairman.
Based on statistics, franchising has a higher success rate because it is anchored on a successful business model that is replicated using the systems, processes and experiences of a brand that is localized to serve the needs of the target market. Indeed, a business’ success is never built alone. It is achieved through meaningful partnerships, strengthened by collaboration and realized through a common vision — that is the essence of franchising.
Franchising embodies the spirit of cooperation, where the success of one leads to the success of many. It empowers entrepreneurs, provides jobs, uplifts families and fuels inclusive growth.
What truly defines franchising?
Beyond the numbers and the brands, we kept coming back to one powerful idea: people — the relationships we build, the values we share and the goals we work toward together. Success in the franchising industry, and in life, is built with others through partnerships and a shared commitment to move forward together.
There are the words of Steve Benitez, the overall chairman and president and CEO of Bo’s Coffee. Judy Guevara, the CEO of Minute Burger, is co-chairman.
PFA marks third decade
The PFA marks its 30 years of existence and honors the many franchise brands, entrepreneurs and visionary leaders who shaped the industry and mentored today’s champions. It confidently moves forward with renewed purpose and unity to build success together. It rallies the industry to stand united, support one another and keep building because when enterprises build together, they don’t only grow businesses, but also build a better future. Looking back, the idea of franchising was raised by Sergio Ortiz-Luiz Jr., who in 1993 presented to the Philippine Retailers Association a United States Agency for International Development study, saying that franchising was then the business model of the fastest-growing businesses. In the same year, the US-based International Franchise Association sent 10 franchise experts and brands.
The First Franchise Conference was held in 1994, a year before the formation of the PFA, which had Samie Lim as founding president and former trade secretary Jose T. Pardo as chairman. Lim is now regarded as the father of Philippine franchising, with Alegria Sibal-Limjoco as the mother. Lim’s son Chris is currently the PFA chairman.
In a first for Asia, the PFA brought to the country in 2002 the Certified Franchise Executive Program from the US-based International Certified Franchise Executive, which annually brings over franchise experts to train and certify not only Filipinos, but also executives from all over the world.
The PFA is currently the secretariat of the Asia Pacific Franchise Confederation and a member of the Task Force of the World Franchise Council, whose task is to create activities that will advance franchising globally.
There is good news in franchising. See you all in the Franchise Asia 2025, and congratulations to the PFA and its leaders, members and supporters.
-END-
SOURCE: The Manila Times