Hotel Sogo shines at Asian Business Excellence Awards

Congratulations, Hotel Sogo!

The Asian Business Excellence Awards (ABEA) is a prestigious International Citation in recognizing Asian excellence in corporate, products, services features and trademarks and/or brands founded by Young Asian Consumers Welfare Advocate.

The country’s largest Filipino-owned hotel chain company has been awarded as Asia’s Most Outstanding Hotel Chain of the Year and Philippines Most Leading Hotel Chain of the Year. Meanwhile, Hotel Sogo’s CEO, Mr. Reynaldo M. Malaca was recognized as the Philippines Most Outstanding CEO of The Year at the recent Asian Business Excellence Awards 2022 held in Quezon City.

Hotel Sogo Marketing Director, Ms. Sue Geminiano shares her gratitude to the award-winning organization for recognizing the hotel’s goal in providing a clean, safe, and top-notch service to its patrons and guests.

“On behalf of Hotel Sogo, thank you Asian Business Excellence Awards 2022 for giving us these recognitions. These awards are nothing if not because of the management and the hardworking staff of our operations. We will continue to give our all in providing our guests a safe and clean stay. Hotel Sogo will not be here without your love and support.” ~Ms. Sue Geminiano, Hotel Sogo Marketing Director

Currently, Hotel Sogo has 46 branches nationwide located in key areas around the metro and provinces. The hotel anticipates expanding in more areas of the country and looks forward to many more recognition in the future. 

For more details, visit www.hotelsogo.com or like and follow Hotel Sogo on Facebook (facebook.com/hotelsogo), Twitter, and Instagram.

Hotel Sogo lands two accolades at 10th Netizens Best Choice Awards

Hotel Sogo, the country’s largest Filipino-owned hotel chain company with over 45 branches nationwide, has been crowned as the “Best Choice Philippines Leading Hotel Chain” and won the “Philippines Guest Choice Awards” by the acclaimed Netizens Best Choice Awards 2022.

“This award is for the management, (as well as) the operations people [who are also considered as frontliners]. They worked so hard for this in a good and very respectful way. If not for them, Hotel Sogo will not be this big, well known, and will have many branches nationwide.” ~Ms. Sue Geminiano, Marketing Director of Hotel Sogo

The Netizens Best Choice Awards for Business Excellence play a vital role in promoting responsible use of the internet since it conducts online research and surveys for promoting the best brands, products and services that distinguished itself among its competitors by earning the Netizen’s Trust Seal.

Awardees are chosen through an online nomination and multi-criteria evaluation in a variety of category such as Product/Brand/Service Quality & Innovativeness, Image/Value Proposition & Pricing, Strong Brand Online Market Influence, and Proper & Responsible means of using the internet. 

As of writing, Hotel Sogo has 46 branches nationwide located in key cities in the metro and provinces. Further plans for expansion in other areas are still expected and the hotel looks forward to many more wins in the future. 

For more details, visit www.hotelsogo.com or like and follow Hotel Sogo on Facebook (facebook.com/hotelsogo), Twitter, and Instagram.

Newly unveiled Tenya Express at the SM Megamall Food Court

"The launch of Tenya Express store also reflects our commitment to stay true to that art of Japanese convenience, while providing quality service to our Filipino consumers. The Tenya Express at SM Megamall is just the start as we strive to bring the taste of Japan to every Filipino." ~Edmundo "Iggy" Ramos, General Manager

After making a name in Japan as the country's No. 1 Tempura Tendon, Tenya has also been gaining traction in the Philippines, fueling its expansion to eight megacities across the capital region.

As it has long mastered the art of providing real Japanese dishes, the restaurant chain has reimagined a new way of offering Filipinos their Japanese favorites through Tenya Express. 

Newly unveiled Tenya Express at the SM Megamall Food Court, featuring Taiko drummer, mascots and cosplayers to welcome guests

Situated at the heart of Ortigas, Tenya Express opens its doors at SM Megamall Foodcourt and is well-positioned to satisfy the cravings of consumers for tendon and tempura at reasonable prices. 

Tenya, a successful tendon restaurant chain in Japan, continues to reach more Filipinos with the opening of its new store at SM Megamall on September 5, serving authentic and quality Japanese meals the fastfood way. 

L-R Tenya Japan Reps: Mizuki Koga, Shuuji Noboritama, Royal Holdings Chairman Tadao Kikuchi, Tenya PH Chairman Leopoldo Prieto Jr, Chukri Prieto (Managing Director), Denise Ramos (Director of Operations)

Tenya Philippine’s Chairman Leopoldo Prieto Jr and Managing Director, Chukri Prieto (Center) with SM Executives

L-R Tenya Japan Reps: Mizuki Koga, Shuuji Noboritama, Royal Holdings Chairman Tadao Kikuchi, Tenya PH Chairman Leopoldo Prieto Jr, Chukri Prieto (Managing Director), Denise Ramos (Director of Operations)

Among those who attended the grand opening were the company's top executives, namely Chairman Leopoldo Prieto Jr., President Chiqui Prieto, Managing Director Leopoldo "Chukri" Prieto III, General Manager Edmundo "Iggy" Ramos, Director of Operations Denise Ramos, and IT Director Andres Marquez. 

Mr. Tadao Kikuchi, Chairman of Royal Holdings Corporation which operates Tenya Japan, and other representatives, also flew in to officially open the new express store. 

"Since our launch in the Philippines seven years ago, we never stopped exploring ways to bring Tenya's best tasting products to more Filipinos who are looking for a real touch of Japan." ~Leopoldo "Chukri" Prieto III, Managing Director

Specializing in tendon and tempura, Tenya has invested in infrared heating technology to make sure that its tempuras are always evenly fried to perfection. Aside from these premium items, Tenya has also fused and introduced more specialties on its menu to offer consumers the best and whole Japanese experience.  

"With our new Tenya Express, we are delighted that consumers can grab their authentic Japanese food fast and conveniently." ~Denise Ramos, Director of Operations

The items on the Tenya Express menu include donburi bowls at P185 (gyudon, chicken karaage, ebi), bento boxes start at P225 (tonkatsu, sukiyaki, seafood tempura). Other offerings include onigiri, ramen, burger, maki, and best-selling Tenya tendon favorites—Classics, All-star, and Asakusa Special. 

"The launch of Tenya Express store also reflects our commitment to stay true to that art of Japanese convenience, while providing quality service to our Filipino consumers. The Tenya Express at SM Megamall is just the start as we strive to bring the taste of Japan to every Filipino." ~Edmundo "Iggy" Ramos, General Manager

Tenya is targeting to expand its new concept to more locations soon. 

Currently, Tenya full-store branches are located in SM Megamall, Market! Market!, SM Southmall, ASEANA City, Festival Mall, Paseo de Magallanes, Tiendesitas and SM Mall of Asia. 

For delivery, you may order via www.tenya.com.ph, grabfood, foodpanda and pickaroo.

Taste of Japan: Relaunch of Yoshinoya in PH with beefed-up menu and new store design

“Japanese food lovers in the metro are in for a treat. We will give our customers the authentic Yoshinoya experience, as if they were dining in Yoshinoya Japan. This forms part of our commitment to offer Filipinos with great tasting food and make Yoshinoya the No. 1 Japanese quick service restaurant in the country.” ~Ned Bandojo, Business Development Head of Jollibee Group Foreign Franchised Brands

Craving for Japanese food? 🍱🍛 You're in luck! Jollibee Foods Corporation invites you to taste Japan's World-Famous Beef Bowl! Relaunch of Yoshinoya brand in the Philippines with a beefed-up menu and a redesigned store as we celebrate the authentic Yoshinoya Japan experience in the Philippines.

All beefed up to offer a bowl of culinary surprises, the Jollibee Group is bringing the authentic Yoshinoya experience in the Philippines, as it re-opens this August 19 the Glorietta 1 Mall (Makati) branch of Japan’s world-famous Beef Bowl Chain.

The relaunched Yoshinoya will offer a beefed-up menu bannered by the brand’s world-famous bestseller, the gyudon or beef bowl.

Yoshinoya’s beef bowl features thin strips of tender beef, slowly simmered in the brand’s signature gyudon sauce. The gyudon bowl can be enjoyed in many ways, including adding togarashi, red ginger, green onions, and even cheese toppings. Yoshinoya Philippines also offers “onsen” egg or the traditional Japanese slow-cooked egg with custardy egg white and egg yolk, as an optional topping that makes the beef bowl comfortingly creamy.

Also on the menu are other must-try Japanese favorites like tempura, chicken karaage, chicken teriyaki, and beef yakiniku. Yoshinoya’s tempura or crispy fried shrimp is coated in traditional Japanese-style tempura batter. For its karaage, the Japanese Style Fried Chicken showcases thick cuts of chicken leg and thigh marinated in special marinade, deep-fried until crisp golden brown. These dishes are served over steamed Japanese rice.

Want more to satisfy your cravings? Yoshinoya will also offer ram and other side dishes such as gyoza, kani salad, miso soup, among others. For dessert, customers can enjoy the brand’s Matcha Mochi Ice Cream and Coffee Jelly.

To complete the dining experience, all Yoshinoya stores in the Philippines will be redesigned with a contemporary and casual Japanese style that exudes an authentic, light, and welcoming feel.

 

The opening of the new Yoshinoya store officially seals the Jollibee Group’s first foray into Japanese food. The Jollibee Group recently formed a joint venture with Yoshinoya International Philippines Inc.  to establish the Yoshinoya Jollibee Foods, Inc, which will operate the Yoshinoya stores in the country, with plans to expand to 50 stores in the long term.

 

Like the humble beginnings of the Jollibee Group, Yoshinoya started as a family-run shop located at Nihonbashi Fish Market in Tokyo. Today, Yoshinoya has over 2,000 global locations.

To get more information about Yoshinoya, visit YoshinoyaPhil on Facebook and @yoshinoyaph on Instagram.

About Jollibee Group 

Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC, also known as Jollibee Group) is one of the fastest-growing restaurant companies in the world. It operates in 34 countries, with over 6,200 stores globally with branches in the Philippines, United States, Canada, the People's Republic of China, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Vietnam, Brunei, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Egypt, Panama, Malaysia, South Korea, India, and Australia. 

Jollibee Group has eight wholly owned brands (Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal, Yonghe King, Hong Zhuang Yuan, Smashburger); six franchised brands (Burger King, Panda Express, PHO24, and Yoshinoya in the Philippines; Dunkin' and Tim Ho Wan in certain territories in China); 80% ownership of The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf; 60% ownership in the SuperFoods Group that owns Highlands Coffee and PHO24; and 51% ownership of Milksha, a popular Taiwanese bubble tea brand. 

Jollibee Group, through its subsidiary Jollibee Worldwide Pte. Ltd. (JWPL) owns 90% participating interest in Titan Dining LP, a private equity fund that ultimately owns the Tim Ho Wan brand. It also has a joint venture with the THW Group to open and operate THW restaurants in Mainland China. Jollibee Group also has a business venture with award-winning Chef Rick Bayless for Tortazo, a Mexican fast-casual restaurant business in the United States.

Jollibee Group was named the Philippines' most admired company by the Asian Wall Street Journal for ten years. It was also honored as one of Asia's Fab 50 Companies and among the World's Best Employers and World’s Top Female-Friendly Companies by Forbes. In 2020, Gallup awarded the Jollibee Group with the Exceptional Workplace Award, making it the first Philippine-based company to receive the distinction.

Zark's Burgers 13 Years Anniversary with a 13 Pesos Ultimate Burger Deal

“Zark has always been known as a symbol of creativity and innovation in the food industry, and that status has been molded out of hard work. We are able to sustain our growth momentum for 13 years now because we are driven to push boundaries of what’s possible through a constant introspection of what works and what doesn’t. We always see opportunities in every situation. We take pride in being natural problem solvers. When the pandemic hit, we took advantage of locations with fewer competitors and opened more non-mall locations to cater to the delivery market 24/7. We continue to pivot and thrive even amid challenging times. We are now in the next chapter. Our goal is to reach 100 stores in the next two years.” ~Zark Varona, Founder of Zark’s Burgers, Entrepreneur-culinarian

Zark’s Burgers was founded in 2009 when entrepreneur-culinarian Zark Varona, who was then 23, decided to open his dream restaurant using the salary he saved after working in a cruise ship for two years. 

Optimistic for its growth story, Varona shared a bigger vision for Zark’s Burgers. 

13th Anniversary Promo

Zark's Ultimate Burger

To be eligible, customers must show proof of any of the following:

• Liked. Followed. Shared Facebook or Instagram "Zark's 13th Anniversary Promo" post. A personal Facebook and Instagram posts or story tagging Zark's Burgers account

Get ready every Mondays of August, starting August 1. For every purchase of any burger in its menu, you can avail the Zark's Ultimate Burger for Php 13 pesos only. Homegrown fast-food restaurant Zark's Burgers celebrated its 13th Anniversary this year! An announcement as big and juicy as its burgers, homegrown fast-food restaurant Zark’s Burgers is once again beefing up the better burger game with its 13 Pesos Zark’s Ultimate Burger deal, as it marks its 13th year in the business. 

Zark’s is known for its wide array of burger offerings—from its loaded-with-toppings Zark’s Ultimate Burger to its multiple patty Jawbreaker and Tombstone under its Challenge Burgers segment. And another burger creation to look forward to is its upcoming burger of the month—Shawarma Burger—which will be launched this August.

For a full meal, it also has in its menu Southern Classics favorites like Buffalo Wings, Chicken Fingers, Fried Southern Chicken Burger, as well as pre-game meals such as Mac N’ Cheese, seasoned fries, and its best-sellers’ Grilled Cheeseburger, Zark’s Mamba & Mac N’ Cheeseburger!

• 13 years to 100 

On its 13th year, Varona attributes the success of Zark’s to its strong brand following and the quick response of his team to navigate the pandemic by strengthening its online and delivery platforms. 

To date, Zark’s Burgers already surpassed its pre-pandemic sales or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA). The brand also projects to reach one billion in sales in 2023. 

Before the year ends, it is targeting to have combined 80 stores nationwide. Currently, it has over 60 branches nationwide, present in almost all major cities and malls. 

A multi-awarded entrepreneur, Varona won the 2019 Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Small and Medium Business, Tatler Gen T (2020) Award and the 2015 Manila Standard Young Visionary Award. He was also named the PHILDEV Rising Star Awardee in 2018. 

Today, Zark’s continues to capture the Filipino market with its ‘Fresh. Huge. Great.’ winning formula, making it one of the fastest-growing local restaurants in the Philippines.