Makeover boosts Burger King sales

The Burger King fastfood chain in the Philippines has seen a significant rise in its daily sales in the past three months after it completed its makeover.

In June, daily sales rose eight percent to P60,008 compared with the same period last year. In July, daily sales reached P61,598 which increased further to P64,581 the following month.

Among Burger King’s best-performing branches are Glorietta, Robinsons Galleria, Gateway and SM San Lazaro.

Last year, the company registered sales of P500 million.

BK Titans, the new owner of the Burger King fastfood chain, is spending P600 million over the next five years for the construction of an additional 75 stores and the refurbishment of existing branches.

The new branches will increase store network to 100 by 2011 or 2012.

For this year, the company is planning to put up at least four new branches — one in Ortigas, two in Makati and one in Trinoma North Edsa.

To date, there are 22 Burger King outlets in the Philippines.

The company said it will continue to expand as strategic locations become available. Preferred locations are those near tollways, airports or those with high foot traffic.

To attract more clients, the group is considering putting up computer kiosks to be managed by Netopia internet café which offers Internet access, desktop publishing equipment, and network gaming services.

Funding will come from internally generated cash.

Shareholders of BKT include former Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina, telecommunications tycoon Manuel V. Pangilinan, Airfreight president Angelito Alvarez and Tanduay Holdings Inc. president Wilson Young.

BKT bought the Burger King fastfood chain in the Philippines from Ayala Corp. last year as part of the latter’s strategy to focus on its core businesses which include real estate, financial services, telecommunications, utilities and electronics.

Ayala exited the food business in 2001 when it sold Purefoods Corp. to San Miguel Corp., but the Burger King business was not part of that transaction. Since that time, Ayala and BK Asiapac had looked for a buyer for Burger King.