BlendPH’s New Franchise Partner Noy Maki Serves Up a Tasty Feast

This pandemic, lots of Filipinos have been cooking all they want and eating all that they can. Tasty Orient-inspired favorites whipped up using premium ingredients have also been generating brisk business. Delectable eats are being offered via the franchise business model — from home, or through food carts, kiosks, or truck. Such is the business model of Noy Maki Food Enterprise, one of peer-to-peer lender BlendPH’s new franchise partners.

To build a successful food truck, cart, or kiosk business, though, sufficient capital is necessary. The question that may come to mind is, will venturing into a franchise food cart/truck entail back-breaking work and hefty funds? As with most startup ventures, hands-on management and hard work are crucial to sustain a food cart business. The financing is usually sourced from the franchise entrepreneur’s own savings, income, and through funding partners.

What Noy Maki has proven is that offering good quality, mouth-watering Japanese-style food options to Filipinos, and happily organizing finances & managing expenses can be done. Teaming up with trusted peer-to-peer funding platform BlendPH has enabled Noy Maki to jumpstart expansion and help franchisees get off to a smooth start.

As Noy Maki’s Rene Francisco stated, “I am thankful na merong BlendPH na makakatulong sa mga franchisees na maka avail ng Noy Maki na installment. Malaking tulong ito sa mga taong gustong magkaroon ng business ngunit walang sapat na puhunan” (I am thankful that there is BlendPH, which can help franchisees avail of Noy Maki on installment. It is a big help to people who want to have their business but lack the funds).  Mr. Francisco, an executive chef who specialized in Japanese and Mongolian cuisines, hails from Bicol.

How the Franchise Food Venture Started

Currently one of the fastest-growing Japanese food-style brand, Noy Maki is the realization of the dream of Mr. Francisco to help other Filipinos, including Overseas Filipino Workers looking to start their own business via franchising.

In May 2016, the first branch in Naga was opened. To date, there are now three Noy Maki sites in Bicol – Naga City, Libmanan, Goa. Noy Maki also has existing sites in Taguig and Batangas, and is set to reopen in different places in Luzon and Visayas. There are now 25 branches, and counting. In the drawing board are potential sites across the world, including Kuwait and Vietnam.

Noy Maki product offering include a delicious assortment of maki (kani maki, ebi tempura, California sesame/California Maki, Hawaiian maki plus other variations); takoyaki; baked sushi (in original or spicy variants); salads; ramen; rice toppings; and bento boxes.

The Japanese comfort food niche hits the spot for many Pinoys, ensuring steady business for Noy Maki business operators. The food kiosk/cart/truck business has been able to deliver a unique selling proposition.

Noy Maki currently offers different franchise options: the basic backdoor selling package; food cart packages (small & big); inline resto; and food truck package. It is an affordable small business opportunity that enterprising Pinoys with funds to spare and a passion for food would not want to miss out on.

Nonetheless, every startup business owner should allot ample time to get everything together.  Though it is different from running a traditional brick-and-mortar restaurant, a franchise food cart or food truck has to have certain elements to get off the ground and stay viable: product that adheres to consistent quality standards, good starting location, and an owner who can market it well.

The upside of the franchise model is that the franchisor, more often than not, guides the franchisee in giving some attention to the marketing aspect. The franchisor has done much of the groundwork, and may be relied on for useful tips to keep generating buzz and attract customers. Overall, the cooperation between franchisor and franchisee can help make the business thrive, even amidst setbacks like the pandemic.

Catering to Finicky Tastes

Japanese food lovers who know the effort that goes into making Oriental cuisine have high respect for sushi, takoyaki and bento box makers, as these are not as easy to make as they may seem to be. Takoyakis can have varying ingredients in them such as octopus bits, cheese, bacon and veggies, yet all of them have a crunchy-soft texture and that irresistible sweet-salty taste that has appealed to lots of Pinoys.

Savory dipping sauces also need to complement takoyakis and tempuras. Moreover, lots of consumers prefer a taste that is close as possible to the authentic Japanese dishes. 

Good thing actual culinary training is part of the initial franchise investment for a Noy Maki food cart, kiosk, and backdoor selling package (along with starter inventory supplies, basic utensils and equipment that includes electric fryer, oven toaster, rice cooker, and takoyaki pans).  For the food truck package, part of the initial investment are impressive truck body graphics, electrical wiring lights and outlet, stainless steel table tops & sink. 

It is expected that for as long as there are people hankering for their favorite eats like takoyaki, ramen, sushi, maki or tempuras with salad, maki and iced tea all in one tummy-pleasing bento box, business will be brisk. Throw in a taste of old Japan, which is as authentic as you can get, and an affordable pricetag, and you have one lucrative business venture.

Interestingly, the selection of street food options that have hit pavements all over the Philippines since pre-Covid times attests to the cultural diversity and culinary skills honed by Pinoys. Franchise food carts and trucks or home-based ventures were born from innovation, and their operators continue to pivot and move where the customers are.

Indeed, the entrepreneurial spirit is certainly alive and kicking. This is illustrated by the Noy Maki franchise venture.

Starting a Japanese-style food truck, cart, kiosk, or home-based takoyaki-sushi-ramen business makes good business sense. To really last in the business, though, quality standards must be upheld. Food cart/truck operators need to maintain sanitation, and also deal with the fierce competition for customers. At the end of the day, quality, taste, and customer service add up to a winning venture.

The franchise operator also needs to be ready to invest time and secure some financing. A business or franchise loan can be a big help, and can avert continually dipping into one’s personal savings.  Partnering with peer-to-peer funding platform Blend.ph opens up ‘opportunity’ for a potential income stream.

To turn your dream food cart business into a reality, visit  https://blend.ph/franchise-loan/.  With the cooperation of new funding partners, the peer-to-peer lender is now able to speed up processing of qualified small business borrowers.