The global foodservice market is anticipated to rise at a considerable rate from 2024 to an extended period as the market is growing at a steady rate and with the rising adoption of strategies by key players here and abroad.
This is just one of the many indications that validated food entrepreneur Gem L. Zeñarosa, the man behind the pita wraps brand Turk’s to embrace expansion abroad. While the demands are high, Zeñarosa believes that it is also the right time to bring the brand outside of the Philippine shores to one of Asia’s top destinations, Tsim Tsa Tsui, Hong Kong, making it the Filipino pita wrap brand to expand food business footprint outside the borders of the Philippines.
Turks dominated the food cart business when it started franchising and since then, it has become a household name and the favorite pita wrap snack of Filipinos. Over the years, Zeñarosa slowly introduced new food items and from a small food cart, he also opened several branches that serve as a fast-food chain.
Since the clamor for Turks to bring its products to other countries is continuously increasing, Zeñarosa has been going around to find the perfect location in Asia for its expansion. He, however, said that despite the numerous requests, he cannot just grab every opportunity or open door for franchising.
After years of careful planning and studying the best location for its expansion, Zeñarosa then decided to put up Turks in Hong Kong while saying, “Expansion in Hong Kong has been in our expansion plan abroad. I believe it is an excellent location to open a business given the foot traffic and healthy economy.”
He added that there is a lot of great food and great restaurants, fast food and even street foods in HK. “We are confident that a ‘specialty food concept’ like Turks with excellent quality would capture the market of Hong Kong.”
“The branch in Hong Kong is just laying the foundation for our bigger plans to bolster and accelerate our presence in Southeast Asia. Our brand is constantly growing in the Philippines and I believe this is the right time to go outside of our comfort zone,” Zeñarosa added. After the opening of this first branch, Turks will open five more stores in different strategic locations in Hong Kong in 2024 with the 2nd branch located in the Kowloon district.
