Franchising is the fastest-growing business sector in the Philippines, according to “A Guide to Franchising in the Philippines,” by the Philippine Franchising Association (PFA).

A sum as small as PHP200,000 ($4,600) can serve as a start-up investment for all the franchising needs of a middle-class Filipino. A food franchise usually requires at least one employer to maintain a small cart or booth with street food and other dining options. Meanwhile, the more expensive franchises can cost about PHP5 million ($112,000).

Jollibee

Jollibee’s trademark food offerings include:

  • burgers
  • spaghetti
  • fries
  • fried chicken
  • rice meals

Dr. Pearl Cooler

Popularizing milk tea and other cold beverages using Philippine raw materials including sago, jelly and flavored powder, Dr. Pearl offers franchisees a wide array of options in operating their businesses.

Those who want small-scale business ventures can choose the regular booth, cart booth or takeout shop with a capital outlay as small as PHP220,000 ($4,900). These booths and carts sell coolers and shakes. Those with more money can franchise a mini dine-in shop for about PHP400,000 to PHP600,000 ($8,900 to $13,000) or a regular dine-in shop for about PHP750,000 to PHP1.2 million ($16,700 to $27,000). These shops sell more food items: coolers, shakes, coffee, herbal tea, toasts, fries, sandwich, spaghetti, rice toppings and cheese potatoes.

Dr. Pearl Cooler Sto. Rosario St. Angeles City, Pampanga Philippines +63-45-888-3808 drpearlcooler.com

Smokey's Hotdog Bar

Smokey's is a popular premium hot dog brand in the Philippines and is owned by San Miguel Pure Foods, the largest Filipino-owned food company in the country. It offers many types of hot dogs and refreshments, and it has franchises in various sites in the Philippines, including schools, malls, churches and offices.

The franchise provides a hot-dog-cart-selling system for small- to medium-size entrepreneurs with no initial cash outlay. The company advances the PHP201,000 ($4,500) investment for the franchisee to pay back within two years. This payment covers the cost of the cart, roller, freezer and fryer.

Smokey's Hotdog Bar San Miguel Pure Foods Site Planning and Development 16th Floor, JMT Bldg., ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City Philippines +63-2-631-5996 sanmiguelpurefoods.com