LJC resto group to expand in Visayas tourism hotspots

The LJC (Larry J. Cruz) Restaurant Group takes advantage of the growing tourism charm in the Visayas through expanding its presence in the emerging tourism hotspots like Bohol, and Boracay.

The LJC Group, the operator of well-known restaurant chain Café Adriatico and Café Havana, and a few restaurant and entertainment cafe brands in Metro Manila, will strengthen further its name in a nationwide scope.

The company's food and beverage operations manager Ronaldo Dayto said entertainment restaurants will soon be opened in the tourism active areas like Bohol and Boracay in the next few months.

Currently, LJC Group is still looking for local partners in these target areas, Dayto said.

Tourism destinations, like that of Bohol and Boracay will need a high-end name for entertainment food outlet, to support the nightlife facilities mainly to cater tourists.

In Cebu, Dayto said the company is still going to embark into mini-expansion projects, introducing complementary service facilities in its Café Adriatico outlet in Crossroads Entertainment complex in Banilad, and the Café Havana in Cebu Business Park (CBP).

Already, Café Adriatico has set up a resto-bar component called "Ali Bay Bar" to cater the growing night owl market in Cebu.

Café Havana Cebu on the other hand, will soon convert its Al Fresco area to a Grill Joint, which is expected to attract another segment of target market, he said.

Unlike in Manila, Dayto said the Cebu market is unique, and it has its own preference. Thus, LJC Group has to formulate a uniquely Cebuano concept for its two food and entertainment joints here.

For its Cebu operations, LJC has also partnered with Cebuano capitalists. This concept will be done also in its planned expansion in Bohol and Boracay.

Meanwhile, in an earlier interview with Lorna Cruz-Ambas, executive vice president and general manager for LJG Group, she said that after establishing its name in the upscale category of restaurant and entertainment industry in the Philippines, the Group is diversifying its business capturing the huge mainstream market.

"The company's direction starting this year is moving towards addressing or tapping the wider market segments, and introduce a new concept of serving, but holding on to our quality standard established by the Group for years in the country," said Cruz-Ambas.

Now, the company enters into the quick-service restaurant category, with the opening of its new concept called "Tan Door King" grilled restaurant chains, initially in Metro Manila.