Food

Highlands Coffee, Vietnam’s leading coffee chain and one of Jollibee Group’s worldwide restaurant brands, has been named the highest-ranked food and beverage brand in the 2023 Customer Experience Excellence Study (CEE) by KPMG in Vietnam.

The CEE report, commissioned by global consulting firm KPMG, polled Vietnamese consumers in eight categories, including restaurants and fast food, entertainment and leisure, and travel and hotels. Brands were ranked using KPMG’s Six Pillars of Experience approach, which includes Integrity, Empathy, Resolution, Personalization, Expectations, Time, and Effort, providing significant insights for firms looking to improve customer experience strategy.

Ernesto Tanmantiong, President and CEO of the Jollibee Group, shared: “Highlands Coffee’s recognition affirms Jollibee Group’s efforts to build well-loved brands in their respective markets. We thank our Highlands Coffee team for their passionate commitment to great-tasting products and exceptional customer experiences. We are also grateful to our customers for supporting Highlands Coffee as we accelerate its growth in Vietnam.”

“The voice of our customers is at the heart of everything we do,” shared David Thai, Founder & CEO of Highlands Coffee. “We can fulfill our promise of delivering ‘The Best of Vietnam’ by listening to our guests’ needs and by constantly elevating our product offerings, physical footprint, digital presence, and overall guest experience.”

Key Highlights from the KPMG Study

Highest Ranked Food and Beverage Brand: Highlands Coffee emerged as the highest-ranked F&B brand in the study, surpassing other formidable players in the food and beverage industry. Based on the survey, Highlands Coffee increased its share in the face-to-face channel, with patrons praising the café’s ambiance and diverse drink options. In terms of satisfaction on digital channels, Highlands Coffee excelled across its website, customer inquiries, and online orders, earning the highest satisfaction from multiple age groups .

Climbing 22 Spots: In a notable leap, Highlands Coffee ascended an impressive 22 spots compared to the 2022 study. From the survey, only Highlands Coffee showed an increase in value-for-money score, as other coffee brands experienced a decrease. This trend suggests that even as customers demand greater value from their beverage experiences, Highlands Coffee’s exceptional-tasting beverages rem

Strong Value and Loyalty Scores: Amid market competition, Highlands Coffee maintained robust value and loyalty scores. Survey respondents consistently recognized the brand’s quality, authenticity, and commitment to their well-being. Highlands Coffee also stood out as the only brand with a significant increase in loyalty scores, attributed to its excellence in upgrading coffee spaces and providing a delightful experience with attentive customer service and high-quality products. These have been identified as resonating with customers, instilling in them a strong sense of brand affinity and loyalty.

Highlands Coffee’s Continued Growth

Founded in 1999, Highlands Coffee began with a passion for Vietnam and its rich coffee culture. Today, it not only leads the market but also serves as a community hub across its numerous stores, offering coffee, teas, and food that bring people together.

Highlands Coffee has grown exponentially since the Jollibee Group acquired 50% in 2012, expanding the store network from 56 stores to 723 in Vietnam and 779 globally. With a dominant 35 to 40% market share in Vietnamese coffee, Highlands Coffee stands as the market leader, known for its commitment to quality, sustainability, and community-building. To date, Highlands Coffee’s strategic growth has solidified its presence especially in key urban areas, resonating strongly with both locals and visitors alike.

Highlands Coffee helps with the diversity and expansion of the Jollibee Group’s overseas portfolio. As of March 2024, the Jollibee Group’s large shop network of 6,885 outlets has grown by 4.6% over the same period the previous year. Highlands Coffee is part of the Jollibee Group, which also owns popular brands like Jollibee, The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf©, Smashburger, and Tim Ho Wan.

To learn more, go to the Highlands Coffee website or follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. The Jollibee Group’s website is www.jollibeegroup.com.

A Father’s Day celebration series on flavorful umami meals with Ajinomoto  

This Father’s Day is an excellent opportunity to hear true stories from fathers who have their own fan following at home when it comes to cooking, which is none other than their own family! Ajinomoto Philippines Corporation (APC) celebrates Father’s Day by providing dads, papas, and tatays with voices and a platform to share their methods, with the goal of empowering other fathers by allowing them to create and discover new ways to bring their families closer together through food and meals spent well together over good conversations at home.

How mornings could be less of a chore, and more for family quality time  

Households with children who go to grade school would understand and relate to those mornings when everybody seems to be rushing. The parents are getting ready for work and some last-minute preparations before they leave. Sometimes, the morning rush can take away precious time from the family, including cooking time, but with AJI-GINISA® Less Sodium Flavor Seasoning Mix, “Mr. Gino’s” Salmon Onigiri, is what the family looks forward to doing altogether. His wife’s task was to make sure all the ingredients were ready and laid on the counter in order, while the children set the table, and Mr. Gino made sure he had the AJI-GINISA® Less Sodium Flavor Seasoning Mix, ready to mix in the morning dish. From the usual manic mornings, breakfast and preparing for it has never been easier, now a bonding experience for the whole family.  

Everyone in their own living spaces at home, but the first sign of lunch calls   

Ever since the discovery of the work-from-home setup, everyone at home  would rather stay inside their rooms, where their home office setup is. With lunch being in between the day, most of us would opt for lunch at our desks, another reason why family time is lessened even when everyone’s at home. Not in Mr. Chris’s home. Preparing lunch is what everyone looks forward to in his hold. The family favorite would be his fried chicken, and everyone at home would know that they only use Crispy Fry® Breading Mix. It’s the smell of fresh oil in a hot pan, waiting to marry chicken cuts coated with Crispy Fry® Breading Mix, and how every bite would just be as good as the laughs and smiles exchanged during lunch. Mr. Chris’s  son told him how excited he is to create his own twist on his dad’s fried chicken recipe, but for now, it will be the classic Crispy Fry® Fried Chicken that would  be the house’s champion.

Family time after hitting that new personal fitness goal  

Mr. Ronny enjoys an evening jog with his family around the neighborhood. It used to be him alone, but he found ways to encourage his family to join. One special way he thought would work was through food. After running, he goes straight to the kitchen to prepare dinner, and rice at Mr. Ronny’s was extraordinary. His Special Fried Rice, a hearty dish that has white rice, onion, garlic, longanisa, sweet ham, eggs, green peas, and the AJIGINISA® Flavor Seasoning Mix, is his secret to this all-in-one dish.  

The star of family meals, dad’s secret ingredient to hearty meals.

Every dinner prepared with affection is something to look forward to, and the dish is undoubtedly unforgettable. Each family has their own classic recipe that is passed down through generations. As we celebrate Father’s Day, we remember and appreciate not only their culinary skills, but also the time and effort they put in to bring joy to their families and bring them closer together. Fathers from many walks of life have shared their stories, but one thing they have in common is that they all have one reliable cooking friend who never fails them: their AJINOMOTO® goods and the twists they add to their cuisine. Why don’t you go to your kitchen? Your dad might be preparing a feast that you’ll never forget!

Check out these recipes and follow Cookmunity (www.cookmunitybyajinomoto.com) by Ajinomoto Philippines for updates, cooking tips, and ideas.

To learn more, visit www.ajinomoto.com. 

Based on its long-term goal of developing a resilient supply chain to ensure better service and quality products in the future, the Jollibee Group has gathered 600 key global and country suppliers to foster a more robust and effective partnership by aligning with them the company’s business priorities and innovations in the coming years.

With the topic “Accelerating Growth Through Partnership,” the recently finished event highlighted Jollibee Group’s critical actions in improving customer experience and maintaining the highest food safety and quality standards in collaboration with its suppliers. It also reaffirmed Jollibee Group’s commitment to sustainable business practices, as embodied in its ‘Joy for Tomorrow’ global sustainability agenda, as a company that collaborates with reputable suppliers who share its values of serving trusted food, improving people’s lives, and treating the planet responsibly.

“Our suppliers have been one of our greatest resources, playing a crucial role in helping us meet our operational and sustainable business goals. As partners in our growth, we aim to keep them informed of our directions and initiatives, and to communicate our commitments to quality, consistency, and excellence,” Jollibee Group President and Chief Executive Officer Ernesto Tanmantiong said.

Tanmantiong, followed by William Tan Untiong, Jollibee Group’s Chief Business Support Office, and other Jollibee Group executives each gave their business presentations, which aimed to empower the suppliers with new knowledge as they continue working with Jollibee Group to provide great tasting food that people can trust.  

Recognition of Quality and Reliability

Culminating the summit is Jollibee Group’s first-ever Supplier Awards Night, which honored its suppliers’ outstanding performances in reaching elevated supplier targets and metrics as well as  suppliers’ innovation, and sustainability efforts.

The top recognition known as the Champion Partner of Joy award was presented to Kerry Manufacturing (Philippines), Inc. for embodying the highest standards of quality, innovation, sustainability, and partnership, as well as a sustained high-level performance in the Procurement Value Matrix and supplier scorecards.

Arla Foods Corporation received the Special Award for Innovation for providing creative solutions, products, or processes that have notably enhanced their operations or customer experience. They also received the notable Special Award for Sustainability for demonstrating a strong commitment to environmental and social responsibility and contributing to a more sustainable future for communities and the planet. 

Meanwhile, Alaska Milk Corporation and Nueva Ecija-based farmer group KALASAG Multipurpose Cooperative, along with two other companies, received the Special Award for Quality for consistently delivering products or services that meet or exceed the company’s high quality standards. Finally, marketing services providers DDB Philippines and Widescope Advertising Agency received the Special Citation for Quality.

“The Supplier Awards Night is a celebration of excellence and shared commitments. It also highlights how powerful collaborations truly accelerate growth. We hope that these recognitions will boost the trust and motivation of our suppliers, as well as reinforce the strength of our partnerships as we expand the business with our common goal: To serve great-tasting food and bring the joy of eating to everyone,” Tan Untiong said.

To learn more about Jollibee Group, visit www.jollibeegroup.com

Over 30 micro, small, and medium-sized enterprise (MSMEs) entrepreneurs benefited from a recent learning session hosted by the Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC) and its social development arm, the Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF), in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry. The first learning session, which complements Republic Act 9501, focuses on capacity building and knowledge exchange to help MSMEs improve their business and marketing abilities so they may scale their firms.

 DTI Undersecretary Ma. Cristina Roque attended the learning session named “Joy in Learning: MSME Meet and Learn,” which discussed the company’s Farmer Entrepreneurship Program under JGF as well as the company’s strategies in conducting Business-to-Business (B2B) and Business-to-Consumer (B2C) engagements.

“I began my entrepreneurial journey 30 years ago with a mere capital of P6,000, a prayer, and a dream.  Once in my lifetime, someone has opened the door for me, and I realized that I, too, should open the door for others. I hope that through these learning sessions, the MSMEs will have a different mindset and open their eyes to the possibilities. Remember, not so long ago, Jollibee was an MSME, too,” said Usec. Roque.

DTI recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the JFC and JGF to help MSMEs grow through capacity building and knowledge sharing. The partnership supports Republic Act 9501, also known as the Magna Carta for MSMEs, which aims to promote MSME growth by expanding entrepreneurship training programs, fostering linkages between large and small enterprises, and encouraging private sector engagements.

“We are truly grateful for the support of DTI in our goal of enriching the lives of MSMEs in the country. By sharing our expertise and experiences, we hope to inspire and empower these entrepreneurs to dream bigger and succeed in their businesses,” said JFC President and Chief Executive Officer Ernesto Tanmantiong.

FEP engagement

JGF’s President Gisela Tiongson opened the learning session by discussing how institutional markets like JFC established relationships with MSMEs and highlighting the Foundation’s experience in linking smallholder farmers as suppliers to the Company.

Launched in 2008, the Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP) organizes and transforms small-scale farmers into agro-entrepreneurs. With the help of its partners and stakeholders from various sectors across the country, the Foundation has helped farmers sharpen their technical and business acumen and link them with institutional markets such as the JFC for increased and steady income.

“Through the shared knowledge and hard work of our teams, partners, and stakeholders, FEP farmers could innovate their practices, understand the importance of calculated risks, and aim for bigger goals for themselves and their businesses. Apart from capacitating them as agro-entrepreneurs, the opportunity empowers them to have a sustainable livelihood and uplift their lives and communities,” Tiongson said.

Stakeholder engagement

Aside from the farmers, the session also allowed the MSMEs to discover the different options and considerations for business development for B2B and B2C engagements.

JFC’s Assistant Vice President and Head of Global Procurement Services Bryan Tividad provided an overview of JFC’s Procurement Value Matrix, which expounds buyers’ decision points. The session also allowed the attendees to understand the key criteria of institutional markets before onboarding suppliers.

“While it may seem daunting, we wanted to give our MSMEs inspiration that it is doable and that there are B2B opportunities for them. We hope that through this session, they can learn the expectations and validations that companies like the JFC require from their suppliers. How they can prepare their businesses for effective and successful B2B transactions,” Tividad added.

Cited as an example is MJB Meat Processing Inc., one of the JFC’s longtime suppliers since 2008. One thing that Joanna Ignacio, the Procurement Head of MJB Meat Processing Inc., did not expect is that their once small family business, with the family members being the employees themselves, would eventually venture into supplying an institutional partner like the JFC.

Being part of their family business meant growing with the company and learning along the way. According to Ignacio, one thing that inspired them to really work hard is how their parents triumphed over all the challenges with a positive mindset.

“They always told us: ‘You should be ready to take on all the challenges coming your way.’ And I’m happy that we took that advice to heart because that led us to where our company is today,” she said.

MJB produces processed meat products such as bacon, ham, and longanisa. As a trusted supplier, MJB understands the Company’s customer values and performs against high standards, establishing its capability and credibility.

“JFC has guided and helped us overcome the initial hesitations and challenges of scaling our business. With constant and open communication regarding expectations and capacity, we learned how to be flexible and reliable enough to meet their requirements, particularly on food safety compliance–which also benefits our retail brand today,” Joanna Ignacio, Procurement Head of MJB Meat Processing Inc. said.

Meanwhile, Chowking President Kenneth Lingan tackled the ins and outs of Business-to-Consumer (B2C) while underscoring customer focus as its core value.

According to him, gaining the hearts of customers helps to strengthen the consumer’s engagement with the business. Lingan explained how they put customer focus into action in Chowking by identifying their target market, developing a unique selling proposition (USP), and implementing the Marketing Mix Strategy, which focuses on Product, Price, Place, and Promotion, or 4Ps.

JFC looks forward to further cooperation with DTI as it continues to play an active role in improving the lives of more Filipinos, particularly MSMEs.

The Jollibee Group, in collaboration with the Quezon City local government, is offering an inclusive job initiative that will help nearly 200 senior citizens (SC) and individuals with disabilities (PWDs). In Quezon City, there will be more than fifty Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, and Burger King locations for qualified SC and PWD workers to choose from.

The Jollibee Group and the Quezon City local government unit (LGU), headed by Mayor Joy Belmonte, recently formalized their cooperation with the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA).

“We support the local government of Quezon City in advancing the welfare of our elderly and persons with disabilities. Through this partnership, we honor their invaluable role in our society. We aim to give those who have the capacity and desire to work the opportunity to help spread joy to customers,” said Ruth Angeles, Vice President and Head, Global Organization, Leadership, and Culture, and Head for Philippines HR, Jollibee Group.

In her message during the signing ceremony, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte underscored the importance of partnerships with institutions like the Jollibee Group in promoting the well-being and dignity of SCs and PWDs through equal employment opportunities. “We thank the Jollibee Group for this gesture, which is a sign that they are with us in our crusade towards inclusivity. For us in Quezon City, progress must be inclusive; everyone must be part of our progress.”

“Age is just a number and a mindset, and we should not allow our age or our disability to be an obstacle to what we can contribute to our nation-building. I thank the Jollibee Group for taking away the obstacles that are preventing our SCs and PWDs from being active members of our workforce,” Mayor Belmonte added.

Interested SCs and PWDs can go to the Quezon City Public Employment Service Office (PESO) to help them with the requirements. They must also secure a fit-to-work certification from the Quezon City Health Department before they can proceed with the initial job screening by the City’s Social Services Department and the Persons with Disability Affairs Office.

The LGU will recommend SCs and PWDs to the Jollibee Group for employment in a limited number of company-owned stores in Quezon City after they meet the requirements. As guest relations employees, qualified SCs and PWDs can support store teams in serving patrons at the counter and dining areas.

“This partnership is consistent with Jollibee Group’s commitment to providing equal employment opportunities to different sectors and promoting inclusivity and diversity in the workplace. We are looking forward to partnering with other LGUs so we can find qualified individuals to join us in our mission of spreading the joy of eating to everyone,” Angeles added.

To carry out this inclusive employment program, the Jollibee Group has collaborated with the provincial government of Rizal, the municipal governments of Manila, Antipolo, Muntinlupa, and Pasig, in addition to Quezon City.

Advancing the Welfare of SCs and PWDs. Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte underscores the importance of partnerships with institutions like the Jollibee Group in promoting the well-being and dignity of SCs and PWDs through equal employment opportunities.

Promoting an Inclusive Workplace. Since 2019, the Jollibee Group has partnered with various local government units in promoting an inclusive workplace where qualified SCs and PWDs can have the opportunity to join the Jollibee Group in its mission to serve great-tasting food, bringing the joy of eating to everyone.

To learn more about Jollibee Group, visit www.jollibeegroup.com

Even though the Philippines is located in the “Bean Belt,” an equatorial region made up of the world’s largest coffee-growing nations, it is still lagging behind the rise of a revolutionary movement that is redefining the Filipino people’s relationship to a cup of coffee.

However, there is still time for this country to solidly establish its own coffee culture, in which the vast majority of people, if not all of them, have a general understanding and appreciation of this beloved beverage in addition to their strong familiarity with, exposure to, and use of the available technologies in the market to make a cup of coffee.

With this in mind, IAJ Wellness Corporation (IAJWC), the exclusive distributor of Breville in the Philippines, has officially signed up multi-awarded barista and famed content creator Vanessa Maclang Caceres as the country’s ambassadress of the leading small kitchen appliances brand from Australia.

Impressed by the rich and mature coffee culture of various countries, IAJWC President Cris Llamo dreams of replicating such trends locally, where Filipinos do not merely drink coffee but dive deep into the art and appreciation of its unique flavors and origins.

“Hence, our partnership is aimed at raising more awareness on coffee culture and appreciation in the country,” she said during their contract signing held recently in Makati City.

“We want to be in the forefront of educating the people about Third Wave Coffee. That’s why we really want Vanessa to become our ambassadress because her vast knowledge of the industry will be of big help to elevate the peoples’ understanding of specialty coffee,” added Elijah Marie Cortez-Flores, Food & Beverage (F&B) Business Unit Manager at Breville Philippines.

Being an ambassadress, Ms. V (her online monicker) or Mamita (as fondly called by her colleagues) will mainly help promote the brand’s coffee category, plus other kitchen appliances through her social media contents. With her new role, she will also work closely with the brand in equipping the frontliners, which include promo merchandisers, with the most up-to-date knowledge about specialty coffee in order for them to effectively sell Breville products to customers.

“Transfer of knowledge should not go wrong. We want to make sure that our people who interact with the customers are saying the right things about coffee and how best to enjoy it using Breville products. So it’s important to have somebody like Ms. Vanessa, who’s been in the industry for a long time—19 years to be exact. There’s a wealth of information and experience that we can learn from her,” Llamo said.

“Through her hands-on training, we also believe that we will be able to foster a deeper appreciation for Breville products, especially the espresso machine category,” Flores added.

Elated by their confidence, Caceres is very thankful of their partnership. She quipped: “I’m happy that they trust me with this partnership. I’m really grateful to train their frontliners and share my knowledge on Third Wave Coffee to other people.”

Breville Philippines started to tap her in March 2023 for Women’s Month using the Breville Bambino Plus. Little did she know that her first encounter with this small espresso machine would make her a firm believer and, eventually, ambassadress of the brand. She said: “It’s not like other similar products, wherein everyone can pull a shot of espresso. No one can do steamed milk that is much better than Breville.”

Caceres adores the company because of its vast assortment of inventive goods that not only solve the difficulties involved in brewing coffee, but also handle issues related to the entire kitchen. Their functionalities and designs complement one another, meeting the needs of every customer.

Despite Breville’s premium brand positioning, the endless possibilities it offers purchasers make it well worth the expense. It seems sense that Vanessa now always has it in the kitchen.

“It’s really a part of my daily life. Once you have it in your kitchen, you cannot stop using it. That’s why you really get your money’s worth,” she stressed.