Mango Tree sets its sights outside of Metro Manila

THAI RESTAURANT operator Mango Tree Worldwide is aiming to open between seven to 10 new branches in the Philippines in the next five years, as it seeks to expand the brand outside of Metro Manila.

“I’d like to see us in the Philippines open at least seven to 10 outlets, that is what I would like to see in our development,” Mango Tree Managing Director Trevor MacKenzie said during a briefing at its flagship restaurant in Bonifacio Global City.

Locally franchised by Mother Spice Food Corp., Mango Tree is celebrating its fifth year in the Philippines, where it currently has one flagship restaurant, and two bistros in Greenbelt 5 in Makati City, and TriNoma in Quezon City. The company has a total of 41 restaurants globally.

“When we go to a country, we let the flagship get established first and make sure the brand name is well-established before we really start our massive expansion,” Mr. MacKenzie added.

The Philippine expansion would favor locations in Cebu City, Baguio, Tagaytay, and Davao City, as the company wants to strengthen the brand across the country.

Mr. MacKenzie declined to give an estimate capital expenditure for the expansion program, but noted that its flagship restaurant in Taguig cost around P15 to P20 million.

Alongside its expansion, Mango Tree’s flagship restaurant will also be undergoing renovations to lighten the ambiance, and introducing new dishes to the menu.

“Make the brand a little bit younger, lighter, feminine... Just a different type of ambiance to it. Mango Tree has always been a little more dark wood, elegant in a different way, but we can see that there’s a change in diners now,” he said.

Starting May 1, Mango Tree will include five new dishes from the four regions of Thailand, such as Kanom-Jeen Nam Ngiaw, a rice noodle dish from the ethnic Shan community, and Sai Oua, a northern Thai sausage.

“Now that Thai food has become more popular around the world, we’re trying to see how to appeal to a wider range of customers,” Mr. MacKenzie added.

Mango Tree Worldwide is owned by COCA Holding International, a subsidiary of Exquisine System HK Co. Ltd.