More Gerry's Grill branches to rise overseas

Filipino restaurant chain Gerry's Grill, a popular haunt among Filipinos, will put up more branches abroad this year, Prime Pacific Grill Corp. president and chief executive officer Gerardo Apolinario said in a statement Monday. “We are optimistic that 2011 is going to be a banner year for Gerry’s Grill," said Apolinario, trumpeting the gains of the restaurant’s existing branches abroad. “Our two branches in the US are getting stronger, and we are number one in patronage among the 26 food chains operating at ‘Rasapura Masters’ at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel in Singapore," he said. Apolinario said three of the new branches will rise in the United States. In an earlier interview, Apolinario said Gerry’s Grill will likely build its additional US branches in California — joining two branches already located in San Francisco and Los Angeles, both products of joint ventures with US-based investors. The restaurant also plans to expand to Canada, Australia, and Thailand. It has been running a Singapore branch since December. In the Philippines, Gerry’s Grill will build a new branch in Baguio City, on top of plans to open restaurants in the cities of Santa Rosa in Laguna, Iloilo, and Davao this year. “Investor confidence has spurred growth. This reflects on the marked improvement on the business performance of Gerry’s Grill branches in the provinces," Apolinario said. Forty-three branches of Gerry’s Grill dot the country as the restaurant marks its 14th anniversary this month. — With Paterno Esmaquel II/VS, GMA News