7-Eleven pushes growth prospects in Cebu, other parts of Visayas

World-leading convenience store chain 7Eleven is aggressively pushing revitalized growth plans in the Visayas for the last quarter of 2015, following the overwhelming success of its provincial franchise expansion venture in Cebu.

According to Francis Medina, business development division manager of Philippine Seven Corp., the exclusive licensor of 7-Eleven in the country, the company is bolstering its franchise store operations in the key areas of Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, Dumaguete, Boracay, Capiz, Aklan and Antique.

As for the growth prospects of c-store franchising in the Visayas, PSC shares a very positive outlook as the franchise system remains a top consideration among enterprising Cebuanos.

"With the new entrants and continuous development of Cebu, both seasoned and contemporary businessmen and entrepreneurs are constantly looking for new opportunities for business. With franchising, it's an easy way to get into business for the newbies, whereas for the veteran businessmen, it's something that doesn't require too much resource, so it's faster to get into," notes Medina.

He adds that the booming economic environment and increasing number of suitable investors in the province vitally supported the c-store system's success, growth performance and profitability.

"7-Eleven remains the country's undisputed dominant player in the franchise sector. We attribute the chain's success to our partner-franchisees in the area. The c-store's unstoppable growth in Cebu only indicates the local partners' strong confidence in the franchise system," Medina stresses.

Apart from Cebu, PSC's investment priority areas in the Visayas include Aklan where it recently opened its first store in Boracay and Caticlan. Earlier this year, 7Eleven opened its first store in Negros Oriental via Dumaguete. "We had opened in 2013 and 2014, and we are continuously expanding in Iloilo and Negros Occidental, respectively," he reveals.

Other possible franchise locations include the North and South municipalities of Cebu, as well as Panay through Capiz and Antique within the next years.

"We are also looking at the possibility and feasibility of the potential of putting stores up in Eastern Visayas and Bohol. Our target is to capture 65% of the c-store market against all other c-stores in Visayas," says Medina.

As of Sept. 8, 2015, PSC operates 1,465 stores, 581 of which are company-owned, and 884 are franchised. The national target this year is to open 500 new stores.

For more details on 7-Eleven's franchise opportunity offerings, call 726-9968, (0920)9508651, (0917)8711686, email franchising@7-eleven.com.ph or visit www.7-eleven.com.ph.