Chowking

Chowking
Product type Chinese fast food chain
Owner Fresh N Famous Foods
Country Philippines
Introduced 1985 (1985)
Related brands
Previous owners Chowking Food Corporation
Website www.chowking.com

Chowking (Chinese: ) is a Philippine-based restaurant chain. The concept combines Western fast food service with Chinese food menu. Chowking predominantly sells noodle soups, dim sum and rice bowls with toppings. Chowking set up its first store in 1985 under the company of Robert Kuan at a time when American-style burger joints were dominating the Philippine fast food scene.

After Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC) acquired Chowking, the brand was place under Fresh N Famous Foods, a JFC subsidiary.[1]

History

In 1989, Chowking started expanding its market share amid the volatility of the domestic market. It opened its franchising operations[2] and made its entry into the provincial markets the same year. On January 1, 2000, Chowking became a wholly owned subsidiary of Jollibee Foods Corporation. The new owner commenced store renovations to create a new corporate look for Chowking that would result in a comprehensive change for each store.

Chowking at the SM City Baliwag
Typical exterior of a Chowking restaurant
Chowking restaurant in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig

Expansion

1995

Chowking opened its first store in the United States through a franchise agreement with a US-based Filipino-American Company.

2005

Chowking entered Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia and maintained two key stores to study the feasibility of the market. At this time, the company began to explore other potential locations and key cities as part of its long term expansion plans.

In the Philippines, the company received the coveted “The Marketing Company of the Year” award from the Philippines Marketing Association and also attained its second “Hall of Fame for Most Outstanding Filipino Franchise” award from the Philippines Franchise Association.

2006

In 2006, the Chowking Food Corporation opened a United Arab Emirates (UAE) store location, increasing its international presence to seventeen outlets.[3]

2008

To ensure its continued growth, Chowking explored markets outside the Philippines. In 2008, Chowking had over 400 stores within the Philippines, Indonesia, United States and the Middle East. Chowking has steadily been expanding its network in and around the Philippines. It is able to ensure the freshness of its food and the reliability of its supply through its main commissaries in Highland, Muntinlupa and Sucat, Parañaque, as well as satellite commissaries in Pangasinan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Negros, Iloilo, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Davao. In Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Chowking's commissary serves ten stores and is expanding to other areas.

In 2008, Chowking announced the completion of a Php270-million (USD 5.65-million) modernization program, which will help set the stage for the company’s future growth. Called “Project DMSSM”[4] (pronounced “dimsum”) for “Designed, Modernized and Streamlined Supply Chain and Manufacturing,” the two-year modernization program that started in 2006 involves the expansion and renovation of Chowking’s Noodle Building, increased automation, and the improved integration of food manufacturing processes in its two commissaries in Muntinlupa City.

2011

Jollibee acquired control over the franchised operations of Chowking USA, following the expiration of the pioneering franchise agreement.

As of April 2011, Chowking operates in key international cities in the USA, Indonesia (2),[5] United Arab Emirates (17), Qatar (2) and Oman (1).

In Indonesia, as part of Chowking's ethos of adaptation with local tastes and cultures, the company is one of the first restaurants to be Halal-certified,[6] courtesy of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI). The number of customers grew as a result of the certification and a strong Indonesian-Muslim customer profile was captured in their stores.

Chowking is also active in the organization of Filipino events in Jakarta.

The brand was a partner in the "Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez 3" boxing fundraiser event, together with San Miguel Indonesia, the Four Asian Tigers and the Philippine Embassy in Indonesia.[7] The proceeds were donated to the Jollibee Foundation in 2011 for the benefit of Filipino typhoon victims.

Chowking also partnered with the London School of Public Relations-Jakarta for the latter's first Quadmedia Competition, where students pitched their advertising concepts to a panel of judges consisting of industry professionals.[8]

References

  1. "Fresh N' Famous Foods Inc Company Profile". EMIS. Retrieved 1 November 2017. Fresh N' Famous Foods Inc, a subsidiary of Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC) operates and franchises quick-service restaurants under the trade names "Chowking" and "Greenwich"; Red Ribbon Bakeshop, Inc.
  2. JIp (2007). "Chowking Franchise in the Philippines". Franchise Philippines. Franchise Philippines. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
  3. Manilla Bulletin (posted by Rex Crisostomo) (26 March 2006). "Chowking steps up global forays". Manilla Bulletin. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
  4. Staff (2008). "Chowking - PRESS RELEASES". PRessroom. Writers Edge Philippines. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
  5. luiszabalajr (27 April 2011). "Chowking Jakarta BEEF BROCCOLI" (Video upload). YouTube. Google, Inc. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
  6. Chowking Indonesia PT. "About". Chowking Indonesia PT. Facebook. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
  7. junglemonkeyz (14 November 2011). "JAKARTA- EXCITED PINOYS AND OTHERS, GATHERED FOR PACQUIAO-MARQUEZ 3". junglemonkeyz. Wordpress. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
  8. LSPR News Online (25 June 2012). "LSPR 1st QuadMedia Competition Presented by Chowking". LSPR News Online. LSPR News Online. Archived from the original on 14 January 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2012.
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