Lotteria, a South Korean fast-food chain, is planning to establish a presence in the Philippines market.
The news was disclosed by the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Discussions took place on 16 May in Seoul between Trade Secretary Cristina Roque and representatives from Lotte GRS and other South Korean conglomerates, the Philippine Star reported citing the DTI.
Go deeper with GlobalData
The talks focused on the conglomerates’ investment and expansion strategies in the Philippines, with an emphasis on food service, franchising, and retail sectors.
The companies are considering various investment avenues such as joint ventures, master franchise agreements, and operations tailored to the local market.
Lotte GRS, the restaurant service division of Lotte Group, is specifically gearing up to introduce its brand, Lotteria, in the country.
Over the next five year, the company aims to open a minimum of 30 stores.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataThe newspaper quoted DTI as saying: “This initiative has strong focus on local sourcing and workforce development.
Additionally, other companies revealed plans to roll out modern convenience store models designed to meet the demands of consumers in the Philippines.
A commitment was made to predominantly source products locally; more than 95% of items sold in their international outlets are procured from within the host nation.
The dialogue also encompassed strategies for incorporating digital commerce solutions and enhancing last-mile delivery capabilities.
Beyond food service and retail endeavours, South Korean entities are investigating prospects for restaurant growth and establishing import-export networks for Philippine agricultural and seafood commodities.
A recent partnership has led to one company’s announcement that it will open its inaugural outlet in Manila by August 2025.
In August of the previous year, Aniai, a New York-based robotic kitchen startup, installed 15 hamburger grill robots across various burger chains in South Korea, including in Lotteria locations.
