A High-Quality Coffee Concept for Commuters

As they say, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.” For this mother and her two sons, it was the long wait at transportation hubs that gave them the inspiration for a new entrepreneurial concept. 

For almost 25 years, Oyette Santiago and her two sons, Dean and Giann, has been offering ready-to-eat food for tireless Filipino commuters—from juicy chicken bites and flavorful hotdog buns to the comfort of champorado in chocolate and ube flavors. Their latest innovation is Take O Coffee, which offers high-quality but affordable brews to commuters on the go.

We chatted with the Santiagos about their new coffee venture:

Photo by Take O Coffee.

ALSO READ

4 Dessert Businesses You Can Franchise

7 Health and Wellness Companies You Can Franchise and How Much They Cost

What inspired the creation of Take O Coffee?

Oyette: We already operate several food concepts in transportation hubs within major malls. We've witnessed firsthand the daily hustle of Filipino commuters, often waiting for hours. Many grab quick bites or even dinner from nearby stalls to cope. As a business owner, I felt compelled to offer them something more: quality food break amidst their busy day. 

At our stores located at SM North Edsa (Quezon City) and SM Mall of Asia (Pasay City), we saw firsthand the challenges commuters face. Often stuck waiting in long lines, their options for a pick-me-up were limited. They could either pay a premium for a quality coffee or settle for something less satisfying just to quench their thirst. I knew something can be done to meet that half-way. We wanted to offer them a welcome oasis, a delicious and affordable coffee that could be a quick break from the daily grind. It was a simple desire: to give hardworking commuters a little luxury amid their busy day.

Photo by Take O Coffee.

How did you plan for your coffee offerings?

Dean: Extensive research and financial planning were crucial. Finding the right beans, equipment, and packaging partners—doing it right with these fundamentals allowed us to reach our target price points starting at P50 without compromising the quality we’re aiming for.

Sure, some affordable coffee places might cut corners, but not us. We believe in quality, even for a grab-and-go concept. That's why we invested in top-of-the-line espresso machines: Nuovo Simonelli and Allegro brands. They might seem like a big investment for a kiosk, but they're the secret behind the consistently delicious coffee that keeps our customers coming back for more.

The initial response seems positive. Tell us about the early success.

Giann: We were thrilled. Currently, we average around P40,000 to P70,000 daily. This validates our concept and fuels our desire to do more for our hardworking commuters and we’re even expanding Take O Coffee to other in-mall locations with high foot traffic, making it even easier for everyone to grab their perfect cup on the go! The goal is to really give that little luxury that we all deserve, at any time of the day.

Photo by Take O Coffee.

What can customers expect beyond coffee?

Giann: We know coffee isn't everyone's cup of tea, so we've designed a menu that caters to all taste buds. Beyond our coffee options, we offer budget-friendly delights that are perfect for a quick pick-me-up. Think refreshing fruit teas to quench your thirst, creamy indulgences for a decadent treat, and even innovative beverage creations that will keep you guessing and coming back for more.

Take O Coffee is expanding! Click here for the franchise details. For inquiries, you may call/text  (+632) 8634.05.86, (+632) 8634.37.17, (+63920) 983.02.47, or (+63917) 881.69.99 or email [email protected] or visit https://www.ufranchiseasia.com/.

Velle Cacha-Manuel is a Certified Franchise Executive and the AVP for Marketing of the IFCP Group of Companies – U-Franchise Sales & Management, Francorp Philippines, and ActionCOACH Philippines.