These Four Filipino Companies Have Opened Branches in Australia in 2021
The pandemic may have seriously hurt many businesses, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), but there are those who continue to push forward and trying to find ways to scale despite the challenges. Many industries are slowly trying to get back on their feet as restrictions are slowly eased across the country.
Some companies, however, are looking abroad to expand and find new markets. These four brands, in particular, have all opened branches in Australia this past year, with the help of the Department of Trade and Industry and its trade office in Sydney, which has been helping the local franchising industry globalize their brands by promoting their various franchise business models in overseas markets.
1| Frankie General Store
In March ths year, Frankie General Store opened its first international retail store in the hip neighborhood of Paddington near Sydney’s CBD. The retail store known for its slow and ethical products provides a platform for small businesses to showcase their craftmanship and love for small-batch creations and sustainability. The store carries their bestselling brands in the Philippines such as Anthill Fabric Gallery, Rafikimono, Andante Shoes, Arete, Ecobar PH, Evrile Bags, Inne, Karisma ni Maria, Pahulay Candles, and many more.
“The lockdown in Sydney was tough for us, but we are slowly recovering with the support of the local community and our online marketplace which we were able to work on during the lockdown,” said Katrina San Juan, general manager and creative director for the Paddington store. “We have a growing customer base in Paddo and more Philippine and local Australian brands will be joining us next year.”
2| Island Tea Co.
Island Tea Co. (ITC), which was founded by a Sri Lankan businessman but headquartered in the Philippines since 2017, also opened its first outlet in Perth, Western Australia in May 2021. ITC considers itself the only chain of ‘Pure Ceylon’ value-added tea cafes in the Southeast Asian territories particularly based in the Philippines. As of 2021 the company operates over 50 branches across the Philippines, Sri Lanka, UAE, and Qatar, with more planned expansions across Asia Pacific and Middle East.
In Australia, the brand is expected to open more branches in Canberra and Darwin bringing to the wider Australian market their signature “Pure Ceylon” freshly brewed teas as well as distinct Filipino flavors such as their Halo-Halo Milk Tea Shake.
3| Potato Corner
Potato Corner has had a presence in Australia since 2016, but in September this year, the brand further expanded with the opening of new stores in Perth and Canberra.
In a statement, the company said that their second outlet in Western Australia is opening at Cockburn Gateway this month, while a third outlet is expected to open at Karinyupp Shopping Center in February 2022. Meanwhile, the store in Canberra located at Batman Street, Braddon, had its soft opening last week. Potato Corner currently has a network of six outlets across NSW, Victoria, WA, and Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
“We are continuously expanding our presence in the Oceania region and other key markets despite the COVID-19 pandemic,” Kathryna Manalo, general manager for the international markets group said. “We are also open for expansion in South Australia, Queensland, Northern Territory and Tasmania. Aside from Australia, we are going further afield in New Zealand with the soft opening of a pop-store at the Auckland Night Markets last November 18.”
4| Brothers Burger
Popular gourmet burger brand Brothers Burger opened its first international store in Penrith, New South Wales last December 4.
The company bills itself as the Philippines’ first flame-grilled gourmet burger restaurant, helping usher in the concept of designer, hand-crafted gourmet burgers. It currently operates multiple main stores and Brothers Burger Express stores in key cities in the Philippines.
In Australia, the brand aims to be a leading fast-casual restaurant that offers an authentic Brothers Burger experience. Besides its classic menu items like flame-grilled burgers and sandwiches, chicken wings, and quesadillas, the brand will also start offering new products not yet available in the Philippines, such as kamote or sweet potato) fries.
“Brothers Burger in the Philippines was born at the height of the Asian Financial Crisis in 1999,” Chriselle Jimenez, director for Brothers Burger Australia Pty Ltd said. “This is a company that was born out of grit and resilience and had prospered despite the many crises in the Philippines. I am confident that opening our first international store in Australia amid the pandemic has the potential to grow the business even bigger.”
“The City of Penrith in Greater Western Sydney is a growth area that is increasingly becoming a lucrative investment opportunity given its proximity to the planned Western Sydney Airport and other major suburbs,” Philippine Ambassador to Australia Ma. Hellen De La Vega said. “The Australian government has been inviting Philippine companies to invest in Greater Western Sydney and I am glad that Brothers Burger chose to locate there. We have a substantial Filipino community in Penrith and surrounding suburbs such as Blacktown and Parramatta. The more than 300,000 Filipinos in Australia also provide a ready market for other Philippine brands wishing to expand to other states and territories in Australia.”
“Expanding overseas is just one of the many strategies that PH companies are doing to thrive amid the pandemic and seek other reliable markets,” Philippine trade representative to Australia Alma Argayoso said. “The Filipino diaspora is one of the largest in the world and that ensures we always have people that are longing for a taste of home or something from the Philippines. However, as we have seen, the brands that are in Australia not just cater to Filipinos but to mainstream Australian consumers as well.”
This article is a slightly edited version of a news release from the DTI.
