Alden Richards aims to open more businesses: 'Hindi siya biro'
After opening his very own McDonald's NXTGEN Store in Biñan Highway in Laguna, Alden Richards is hoping to open up more branches of the international fast food chain in his home province.
“Yeah, 'yon talaga 'yong plan,” said the Kapuso actor in his interview during the soft opening and blessing of his very own branch.
LOOK: Fans flock grand opening of Alden Richards's fast food branch
The 27-year-old franchise owner-operator told GMANetwork.com that the whole process of acquiring a license to operate a branch of the international fast food chain was a long and thorough and careful process.
There was a lot of back and forth that happened between Alden and the people of McDonald's during the initial stages.
Alden, who just came back from Hong Kong, gave us the back story: “We had a lot of help from them [McDo]. They assisted us.
"They gave us choices. Meron silang Plans A to Z na talagang if everything fails meron silang panic button for everything.
“Location-wise, I scouted several locations for the store, pero it was disapproved kasi they had to study the area.
"Tingnan nila 'yong traffic, 'yong surrounding, 'yong environment daily.
“E, hindi na-approve yong ibang areas that I pitched.
"So sabi ko, 'Sige po, since hindi tayo napupunta on the same page, maybe you guys can scout, then I'll approve. Gano'n naman [ang nangyari].
“It's a really a big investment. Hindi siya biro.”
Alden explains that it was not only the location that was factored in.
“When applying for a franchise, the company will be looking at the social influence of the area, and kung gaano ka kakilala sa area, kumusta yong rapport mo with the community, the government officials, with the schools and hospitals, how involved are you in community service. 'Yon 'yong mga kino-consider ni McDo to honor franchises.”
But why in Laguna?
Alden admitted that he also considered locations in Metro Manila.
“I considered Metro Manila, but [if that happens] I will not be able to open other stores but sa Metro Manila lang. E, ang dami na do'n, e, sobra.
“Unlike here, majority of the stores in the south in Biñan, Olivarez, Bel Air, Malibago, Nuvali, and Tagaytay, every one of them is company-owned.
“So eventually, if my store performs well, I can apply for the acquisition of existing company-owned stores. May gano'ng policy kasi.
"I want to expand, pero through acquisition of the company-owned stores.”
Alden added that his plans to expand were inspired by the stories of the other owner-operators that he met recently.
“I've met different owner operators. They have seven, they have eleven stores na.
"'Yon din 'yong dream ko. Since na-start na natin, itutuluy-tuloy na rin natin.”
As for his other restaurants, Alden is planning to open two more branches Concha's Garden Café in May.