Passenger traffic generates good sales for Calda Pizza

CEBU, Philippines - Despite only a few months since it kicked off operations last August, the franchised branch of Calda Pizza at the new south terminal is enjoying positive response from the market.

Calda MG South Terminal general manager Brigida Gelnasa said in an interview with The Freeman that they are overwhelmed with the sales turnout of the store in the area.

Gelnasa said they attribute the good customer traffic to the location, not only with the coming in and out of passengers that come from farther south of Cebu, but also because of the different offices and establishments around the area.

Gelnasa said they have the advantage of catering to all kinds of customers like students from different schools around, travelers, and professionals that work in the nearby hospital and the numerous offices that are found around the area.

But Gelnasa said that aside from those who come in their store, they have an added market through their delivery service wherein through their successful marketing means, a lot of people call in their store to have products delivered in places as far as Mandaue city.

The branch charges a delivery fee for small orders but delivery are offered free for big orders, regardless of proximity.

Gelnasa said that they make sure that their customers have the best quality of food for their money by not holding back on the ingredients. She said that even if Calda pizza is priced lower than other known pizza shops in the country, they still use the same top ingredients like mozzarella cheese, Bolognese and salami.

But Gelnasa said that while all the branches offer same products, their branch is the first ever franchise branch to offer non-pork pizzas.

She said that there are a lot of people who prefer seafood or chicken rather than pork, which is why they saw the need to offer the first non-pork Calda pizza choices. Gelnasa said that they also decided on this since they see the growing market of Middle Eastern arrivals in Cebu , either as tourists or mostly studying in local universities. Aside from this, Gelnasa said that their branch was also the first one to sell pizzas per slice. Another promo offered is their free 1.5 liter for super size pizzas and two 1.5 liters for extra super pizzas.

According to her, “The edge really of Calda Pizza is the affordability. You really get the best for very affordable prices.”

Gelnasa said that through their new schemes and the assurance that they offer good and affordable products, they have noted of very good reviews from the public. “My gratification is that they keep on coming back,” said Gelnasa who shared that she is always optimistic of how her business would do considering that not all days are “good days.”

Gelnasa, who also has other businesses dealing with food, said that with the competition around, she practices aggressive marketing in order to do well in the business. She said that having the passion for food made her go in to the food industry which she believes has a lot of potential especially for the local brands that are sprouting all over and is making its way in the national scene.

Presently, Gelnasa said that their orders, particularly for deliveries are picking up with the holiday season and other celebrations such as parties and gatherings. She said that mostly, their orders start at 11 in the morning but now they have orders as early as 9 and end as late as 1:30 dawn.

But Gelnasa said that aside from the good turnout of the business, being able to help on the employment is also an added achievement.