Abaca forays into food and beverage

CEBU, Philippines — Multiple restaurant brands operator Abaca Group announced its entry into the food and beverage management services in the hospitality sector.

At a press conference yesterday, Abaca Group founder Jason Hyatt said that the group’s entry to F&B management will go hand in hand with its aggressive stance in expanding the number of restaurants in Metro Cebu, where it has so far established eight restaurant brands.

Hyatt, who started the luxury Abaca Resort in Mactan in 2006, has observed a fast-changing dining lifestyle in Cebu, saying the market pays for quality now. After 2006, several Abaca Baking Company (ABC) outlets opened.

After establishing its name in Cebu’s dining market with 21 outlets opened in the last 13 years with specialty brands including Tavolata, Phat Pho, Red Lizard, Luncheonette, Maya, and two hotel brands, the group considers it high time to offer its expertise in F&B to the vibrant hotel industry here.

Hyatt is also part of a hotel management company called HRI, which will manage the posh The Reef Resort.

The group also operates the Island Camungi, an exclusive barefoot private island and migratory bird and marine sanctuary in Lapu-Lapu City.

Initially, the group inked partnership with developer of luxury resort The Reef for a specialized F&B management, and the upcoming opening of Citadines condotel located at the former Baseline area.

The fertile dining market in Cebu, fuelled by improving disposable income of Cebuanos and rising tourist arrivals, has contributed to the remarkable growth of the company over the years. Hyatt also credited the success to a strong team led by Chef Patrick Corpuz, the group’s director for business.

The American restaurateur Hyatt is not just bullish on Cebu’s dining business, but also in other major cities like Metro Manila.

At present, the group is clenching a deal with a Manila-based partner to handle the master-franchise business in the Luzon area.

Before the end of this year, the group will open at least eight more restaurants within its multiple brands.

The Abaca Group entered into the luxury accommodation and restaurant sector in Cebu 2006, through the nine-room Abaca Boutique Resort in Punta Engaño, Mactan Island. (FREEMAN)