AFFI registers solid growth in membership

The Association of Filipino Franchisers, Inc. (AFFI) reported recently that it has experienced a substantial growth in its membership base, according to an association officer.

Jose Carlos “JC” Martinez, AFFI Vice President for Education, said that when the group started in 1997, there were only about 7 members. Now, AFFI’s members have already reached 180 members, a new milestone for the country’s premier organization of entrepreneurs.

This development further shows that entrepreneurship and franchising continue to be an attractive business model for Filipinos who want to put up a business of their own.

Out of this total, Martinez said about 64 percent are involved in the food industry, with 22 percent in the services business, 13 percent for the retail sector, and the remaining 1 percent for other industries.

The 180 brands, Martinez said, currently has 32,000 stores in operation, while the ratio of franchisors to franchisees is pegged at 1:30. “We have franchisors who have grown their franchisee base exponentially, with some franchisees reaching 400 or as high as 700,” Martinez said in a report he presented to the AFFI Board of Directors.

He said that with 32,000 stores in operation, this provides quality employment to more than 120,000 Filipinos without jobs or who are underemployed.

“HAFFI Hour” is a regular AFFI event that aims to foster camaraderie and unity among members as they engage in business networking and friendship with their co-AFFI members.

Martinez also took the opportunity to invite AFFI members to its several upcoming events such as the regular “PresidenTEA (Thought, Exchange, Activity)” sessions, the first AFFI-nity Franchise and Business Summit on September 22, 2018 at the Blue Leaf Filipinas in Aseana City, Parañaque City, the blood-letting drive in Ali Mall on October 2018 in partnership with Quezon City 3rd District Councilor Allan Reyes and the Dugong Alay, Dugtong Buhay Foundation, and their biggest event, the AFFI Franchise and Business Expo, which will be held February 1-2, 2019, with the theme “Galing ng Pinoy.”

Special guests during the HAFFI Hour were Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary Ramon “Mon” Lopez, who noted AFFI’s advocacy of entrepreneurship and expressed support to the country’s entrepreneurs.