Local resto chain thrives amid rising competition

Cebu's restaurant industry is attracting renewed bets from local entrepreneurs, who are expanding aggressively despite intensifying competition from Manila-based chains and a wave of new mall developments.

- Ehda M. Dagooc

Constantine “Stan” Tanchan, president of Choobi Choobi Flavors Corp., is at the forefront of this push. He announced plans to expand the group’s flagship seafood brand Choobi Choobi to Bohol and Boracay in 2026, targeting the islands’ booming tourism markets.

“Korean travelers have made Choobi Choobi part of their Cebu itinerary, so it makes sense to expand in destinations where Korean traffic is very strong,” Tanchan said.

The company, which operates nine branches across Cebu, Davao and Duma-guete, has also completed a full upgrade of its outlets—an investment of P6-7 million per restaurant—reflecting shifting consumer preferences toward experiential dining and design-led spaces.