Wolfgang’s Steakhouse wants a bite of corporate market
UNITED STATES-based Wolfgang’s Steakhouse is looking to serve the Philippine corporate market as it opens its newest location at the heart of Ortigas District, aiming to capture the tastebuds of businessmen hustling through another 9 to 5 workday.
The Ortigas restaurant, located at the ground floor of The Podium, is the group’s second location in the Philippines, after setting up shop in Newport Mall within the Resorts World complex in 2016. This is the group’s 19th outlet globally.
“We wanted to be near bankers and corporate towers. And
tamang-tama naman, we’re really near the BDO tower so we talked to the SM group, and they had this place left, this one tiny spot. We managed to make it work,” Raymund Magdaluyo, the head of Excello Restaurant Management Group, said during a media roundtable for the restaurant’s opening. Excello is the local partner of Wolfgang’s Steakhouse.
“This is a natural market, you have the corporate people. And you have the families din,” he added.
The Ortigas restaurant has a capacity of 75 to 80, smaller compared to the one in Resorts World, which has 120 capacity.
Having a steakhouse in a country with a booming economy is important, according to Mr. Magdaluyo, as it becomes a place where matters of importance can be discussed.
Wolfgang’s Steakhouse is hoping to attract expats from the nearby Asian Development Bank headquarters, as well as employees working at the BDO Corporate Center or San Miguel Corp.’s head office.
“I feel each vibrant city has its own steakhouse, especially our economy is growing. When you’re closing a deal, or having a special gathering as well,” he said.
Peter Zwiener, Wolfgang’s Steakhouse president and managing partner, said the decision to put up a second location was dependent on the Resorts World restaurant’s performance, which turned out to be wellreceived by the market.
“Once we started doing well in Resorts World, we started looking for store number two and number three. It was either going to be here, Ortigas, or Fort Bonifacio. So we decided to do it here in Ortigas first and then Fort Bonifacio in June,” he said.
What differentiates Wolfgang’s from other steakhouses is their focus on quality, Mr. Zwiener said, adding they import beef from the United States to ensure its quality.
“We focus on the quality. We actually ship our beef from the United States on a weekly basis. The beef that you eat here could be the same as the one you’ll be eating in our New York restaurant, in our Miami restaurant. We bring the meet to whichever market we go to,” Mr. Zwiener said.
The private banker-turned-restaurant operator explained the beef is aged for 28 days.
“We never freeze our beef, we age it. We have our own aging room, use the same equipment, do all the training in New York... All the key players have actually worked in our New York restaurant to learn, to make sure the consistency level is there,” Mr. Zwiener said.
Following positive response in the Philippines, the company is looking to strengthen its brand in other Asian nations as well.
“Wolfgang brand will continue growing... We’re going to put one in Shanghai in China, probably Indonesia and Malaysia, too. So the Asian market is extremely strong, and part of it is because the brand is getting stronger,” Mr. Zwiener said.