Revenge dining’ boosts Nonki chain performance

CEBU, Philippines — Banking on the promising outlook of tourism coupled with the improving purchasing power of Cebuanos, Japanese restaurant chain Nonki opened its 10th store along A. S. Fortuna Street in Mandaue City to jumpstart an aggressive expansion stance.

Restaurateur Ma. Ligaya Arong-Machida said in an interview that the opening of Nonki Izakaya is meant to augment and complement Nonki Japanese restaurants around Metro Cebu, particularly on its main branch, located in the same street in A. S. Fortuna.

Machida observed that the restaurant industry is now benefiting from the “revenge spending.” She said “revenge dining” is apparent based on the performance across all nine outlets.

According to Machida, her company’s aggressive stance to pour in investments in expanding her Nonki chain of restaurants is also to prepare for the influx of Japanese tourists, which she believes will happen soon.

Nonki Izakaya is by far the biggest Nonki restaurant in Cebu. It can accommodate 180 customers. Two more Nonki branches are set to open in the following months.

Nonki will have a branch inside the premier Nustar Resort and Casino at the South Road Properties in Cebu City and is scheduled for opening in May. It will be the company’s 11th branch.

The restaurant chain is also expanding its presence in Mindanao, specifically in Davao City. Machida said Davao City will have its second Nonki branch soon located in one of the emerging townships in the city. It will be the company’s 12th branch, opening in December this year.

After the restaurant slump during the COVID-19 caused lockdowns, Machida expressed confidence that the restaurant industry, including specialty restaurants, are getting back on its feet again.

The Nonki chain, which operates under Nonki Foods Cebu Inc., has been operating for more than 10 years in the food and dining industry in Cebu and Bohol. It later opened its Davao branch.

She said more Nonki restaurants will be opened in the short-term depending on the availability of spaces, and feasibility of a location. As of now, she is scouting for good locations in Visayas and Mindanao.