Rico's Lechon opens new branch, welcomes surge in lechon orders

AMID the Christmas rush, Rico's Lechon opened its third restaurant yesterday on N. Escario Street in Cebu City.

Enrico "Rico" Dionson, founder and chief executive officer of Rico's Lechon, said the opening of the newest restaurant in Axis Entertainment Avenue is a timely as this period of the year spells surge in lechon orders.

"The demand doubles starting November," Dionson said in Cebuano during the opening of the Rico's Lechon Escario branch yesterday.

The new branch is a two-storey facility that features 100-seating capacity dining area and another 100-seating capacity function room, said to be the biggest of the three Rico's Lechon restaurants located in Mabolo and in Lapu-Lapu City.

Dionson said the increasing demand of their lechon and events booking in Mactan and Mabolo branches have prompted his company to open a new branch.

"Bringing Rico's Lechon closer to the heart of Cebu City would not ony accommodate more customers but also reach out to those who may find it hard to access the first two branches," the company in a statement said.

Starting last week of November, Dionson said lechon orders have surged. Bulk orders come from corporate clients where they serve lechon during Christmas parties or give out Rico's Lechon gift certificates as souveniers.

On normal days, Rico's Lechon com- missary can accommodate 125 lechon per cycle. One cycle approximately takes two to three hours of cooking.

As early as the first week of November, Dionson said the company has secured that there'd be enough pigs which they source from Negros Oriental and all their kitchen equipment are in the best condition.

Ricos lechon are priced from P3,500 to P8,000.

By next year, the company targets to open a new restaurant in the southern part of Cebu City, possibly in Barangay Labangon or Pardo. At the moment, the management is continously searching for the best location.

Dionson said southern areas in Cebu City are underserved, saying there are not enough good restaurants in the vicinity.

Rico's Lechon in Axis Vibo Place is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. for takeout; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. for dine-out.

DEFENSOR) (SUNSTAR FOTO/ALLAN HOLIDAY FAVORITE. Rico’s Lechon founder Enrico Dionson (center) assured clients there would be enough roasted pigs for the holiday season. As early as November, market demand for roasted pigs has doubled with bulk orders coming from corporate clients.