HRRAC: Cebu has enough room for new resto concepts

CEBU, Philippines – The Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC) is confident that Cebu has enough room for more investors in the food sector amid the steady flow of new entrants, especially the big buffet concepts.

HRRAC president Julie Najar however said buffets in hotels are not threatened of the growing existence of big buffet concept restaurants in Cebu.

"Hotels’ buffet offering has distinct market. We basically cater to different diner segments. What hotels are offering is not just the entire gastronomic experience prepared by professional chefs, but also the total dining experience," said Najar, who is also the general manager of Marco Polo Plaza Cebu.

Najar said Cebu's consumer-base has matured and even has improved in terms of purchasing power. The influx of both domestic and foreign tourists has helped food and beverage businesses in Cebu to post historical growth in the last couple of years.

"Cebu [as a market] is ready for variety. Competition is normal and even good for a growing economy like us,” said Najar.

Buffet 101, Vikings, Yakimix, among others are just few of the branded buffet restaurants that opened in Cebu in the last couple of months.

Najar said everybody has its own identified clientele, "there is a market for everyone."

Buffet 101, the hotel-concept buffet station recently opened at the City Times Square in Mandaue City.

Robert Chua, through his company Robbi Trading Inc., has inked a partnership deal with Grand Resto Inc., which manages several restaurant brands in the country including Yakimix Restaurant, among others.

"Cebu is ready for luxury buffet dining," said Tan adding that Buffet 101, which offers over 300 food choices spread in a 145 meter buffet table, indicates Cebu's preparation for a more booming year in 2016. (FREEMAN)