BOK expands nationwide, boosts tech to grow footprint
BOK Korean Fried Chicken is targeting all major Philippine islands.
BOK Korean Fried Chicken is ramping up expansion and tech adoption to meet rising consumer expectations and address manpower challenges across the Philippines.
“The plan for our group… is that we really want to expand to all three major islands in the Philippines. So that's Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao,” said Julian Antonio, CEO at BOK Korean Fried Chicken. “Currently we have around over 25 stores in Luzon and one in Visaya. We just opened last December in Cebu.”
Antonio also pointed to key trends shaping the food industry, including digital convenience and affordability. “People have been more inclined in using technology in their day to day, especially with regards to food,” he said. “Convenience is one of the key trends that I’ve been seeing… People want things quickly. People want things immediately.”
“People of this generation are looking more for something that’s more value for money,” he added.
Still, the company faces ongoing staffing hurdles. “It’s hard to find the right talent in the right location,” said Antonio. To compete with other employers offering similar wages, BOK now provides “additional health benefits, reimbursements, transportation and free meals.”
The brand is also investing in technology to streamline operations and enhance customer experience. “We’re going to be making big investments in tech and hardware, such as self-service kiosks, better POS systems, kitchen display systems,” Antonio said.
