Keeping up with the times to stay relevant
The restaurant business in the country is very competitive. It is dominated by a fickle market that can make or break a brand.
Gerry’s Restaurant and Bar is one of the survivors of the very demanding world of the food service industry.
But the homegrown restaurant is not resting on its laurels. Francis Villaluz, senior marketing manager said it would introduce innovations as part of its roadmap to remain relevant in the local market and establish a foothold overseas.
The original concept of Gerry’s to be a winding hub has evolved through the years. It naturally transformed into a familyoriented restaurant because of the demand of the times.
With the emergence of the digital natives or more popularly known as the millennials, Villaluz said Gerry’s has quickly responded to the growth of this segment.
“We need to become relevant to the modern times. From Monday to Friday, millennials dominate our restaurants,” Villaluz said.
“We want to be associated with active people. In response, Gerry’s has been establishing presence in places where millennials tend to go such as malls,“he added.
To give them more options, Gerry’s has introduced more menus for young professionals and millennials.
Known before to offer their famous Sizzling Sisig and Villaluz said Gerry’s introduced salt and pepper squid,
chicharon liempo and spanish style bangus that have enticed their interest.
As a chain, Villaluz said Gerry’s tries its best to be consistent in the quality of the food. “We give emphasis on training our front liners and kitchen crew as well,” he said.
“Being a bar and restaurant, we are aware that we need to step up to become the ideal spot for the millennials. But as they grow older they will realize that Gerry’s will remain relevant for them when they have their own families,” Villaluz said.
Still in response to the changing times, Gerry’s shifted playing to band music from the music of the 80’s to current pop hits and music from You Tube stars. It also offered larger food servings for millennials.
Sisig remains their top favorite, according to Villaluz.
He mentioned the millennial’s penchant for eating out has favored Gerry’s. As more and more people, especially young professionals gained bigger earning opportunities, the more chances they will go out and eat at Gerry’s.
As much as possible, Gerry’s keeps the presentation of their menus pleasing to the eye.
“Millennials easily get attracted to appearance of food. They love to post it in their IG accounts,” he said.
Villaluz said Gerry’s would not rest on its laurels and would continue to promote Filipino food to the world as part of the advocacy of the company.
“It is our way of thanking the Filipinos that made Gerry’s a household name since 1997. We are a believer that Filipino food is world-class.”