During the opening on May 10. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

AFFECTED by the ongoing lockdowns, several establishments, even those that have been existing for a long time, have been forced to close shop due to overwhelming losses and changing business climates.

This is the major roadblock that TE Manila Food Inc., the company behind YakiYaki –

the first Yakisoba-Takoyaki-In-One-Serving concept in the Philippines – had to overcome

when it opened the first store last May 10, located at Calzada-Tipas, Taguig.

Just four months after opening the first branch, there are now three other stores located in Pasig, Parañaque and Las Piñas.

Considering the crisis the world is going through,this company must have done something right to ensure not just success, but growth as well in these challenging times.

First tip for an early success is location. Choosing a business location is one of the most important aspects of starting a small business as it can dictate foot traffic, business

atmosphere and long-term success.

Safety comes next. Demand for food did not go away, but it evolved. Customers now need to be assured of their safety and so they choose the business where there is less risk of catching the virus while at the same time still comfortable to buy from. YakiYaki make sure that proper health protocols are implemented in each store.

Strong social media presence plays a significant role in these times. With lockdowns happening, most of the target customers are found online and that was the most efficient way to get the message to them. Bloggers and vloggers were invited to feature the brand on their channels, increasing brand awareness quickly through a wider market base and daily transaction count also improved significantly.

Value-based pricing is another important factor for any business. Many people lost their jobs or livelihood and inflation is currently high. This resulted to a market that is more conscious on spending. YakiYaki understood the value of their product and how much a customer would be willing to pay for that value.

To top it all, efficient operations is a must. YakiYaki uses an automated inventory management

system to know exactly how much ingredients are used versus expected consumption based on sales. This also allows proper inventory levels which results to less wastages and better management of perishables.

More importantly, YakiYaki has captured the Filipino taste because of their mission – 'Serving balls of happiness.'

Many people ask if it is still a good time to do business. For YakiYaki and TE Manila Food, it is always a good time to do business because the food market is always open and an opportunity to fill in the demand.

Send email to franchise.yakiyaki@gmail.com if looking for an amazing business opportunity even during this time of pandemic.