NAME: Avin Ong
COMPANY: Fredley Group
POSITION: Founder & CEO
LOCATION: Manila, Philippines
Running a multi-brand business is a little like having kids – you can’t show preference to any of them, Fredley Group CEO Avin Ong teases. He doesn’t even allow himself to have a favourite dish at any of his nine food and drink chains, making sure he spreads the love equally. Perhaps that’s why all are currently growing at an impressive rate, defying the barrage of setbacks that the past year has thrown at them.
When The CEO Magazine last spoke to Avin towards the end of 2019, the world had no clue what lay in store. He was bullish about the outlook, laying out plans to have 200 branches operating across the Philippines by the end of 2020. So how did those plans work out?
“I’m happy to share with you that we now have more than 230 branches operating nationwide under the Fredley Group of Companies,” he reveals. The Group expanded its portfolio too, adding French brands Maison Kitsuné and Café Kitsuné, and acquiring 100 per cent of shares in its existing brands New York Fries & Dips and Liang Crispy Rolls.
That’s not to say that it has been easy, however. Avin admits the year has been a wild ride. “Business is doing well but, of course, not as good as we all expected,” he says of COVID-19’s impact. “During the pandemic, all of our branches had no choice but to close down according to the government restrictions. We opened after a few months during the general community quarantine.”
This story is from the July 2021 edition of The CEO Magazine Asia.
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This story is from the July 2021 edition of The CEO Magazine Asia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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