SPEntrep Food Trip Report by Alvin Bilolo

Food Trip 

The food trip that we've done last March 5, 2013 shows us a lot of business opportunities and improvements to be done to those existing businesses that we've visited. It helps us develop our critical thinking of observing and learning what made these businesses exist and stay in the industry of food service.

Our first destination is the food stalls in A-venue. There is a combination of different cuisines here since most of its target customers are foreigners living and roaming around Makati Avenue. It caters different types of food from a complete meal to desserts and even street foods! What makes this place unique is that it doesn't cater food alone, it also has some stalls for several merchandise such as perfume, dress and even books. You may then visit this place not just for food but also for a mini shopping experience.

The stalls in A-venue are located in parking area of the mall. This is a great concept! Parking areas are profitable right now but making it a business place makes it more profitable. The owner of this area may then be making a lot of money every night! The usual fee for one stall is around Php 30,000.00 per month and this is a big business if you have over 50 stalls in your parking area!

The challenge of marketing these stalls to the public was resolved by having a loud sound systems and live band that will attract more people. This is also a unique business idea for this food stalls since customers may be entertained while they are eating their dinner or while shopping and roaming around. The lights are also an attraction due to its fascinating shape and color. It is elegant, yet simple.

Another new experience here is the concept of different food preparations. We can actually see how food is being prepared such as the cooking of Ilocos' empanada (Taco Wana) and the 'Falafel' balls which is made from a lot of different vegetables. I actually have an idea of cooking those foods and I want to try it at home!

We also have a chance to try the Korean Restaurant 'Dona Dona' near A-venue. This is an international concept of restaurant located in busy streets of Makati Avenue. At first, I thought this is not a good business establishment since its target market is those people from class A or B. But I was wrong! Korean food in this establishment is affordable! And that is worth noting. This restaurant actually caters a Korean experience to a lot of Filipinos and foreigners at an affordable price.

'Dona Dona' shows its uniqueness by the way they serve food. The owner of the restaurant herself supports the business and assists in serving food to its customers. This is a good experience since customers will really feel that they are well accommodated. Food is actually satisfying at a less cost. The concept of 'shabu-shabu' is also great! This is an awesome experience for Filipinos since only restaurants cater this way of cooking food.

We've finally ended our food trip with a cake from Goldilocks. As usual, desserts are good. Its products carry its name. I cannot find any new in this establishment maybe because they already have an established name. I would then suggest that they innovate their food and services to attract more customers. One way of improving their product/services is let's say they will offer a free drinks if the customer purchases a certain amount of pastries or food. They can also have 'Goldilocks Card' where they will give its customers a free cake at their 7^th cake purchase. The management of this bakeshop can think of a lot of ways to strengthen their industry.

I would then say that food stalls and restaurants are still a successful business nowadays. What they need to do is to improve their products and services from time to time because this will attract more customers. A lot of people are still attracted by food and new ideas about it makes it more attractive to the public. People love eating and trying different food types available in the market.