THE Oppa Samgyeopsal, one of Jary Rie Olivares’ restaurant brands, used to enjoy a good number of customers in the Christmas season of 2019 until the pandemic started in early 2020 which plunged its sales as people opted not to dine out.
When the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) began spreading across the globe, restaurateur Olivares told Malaya Business Insight her dad wanted her to close all her businesses, including this Korean restaurant, for her safety.
Instead of shutting, “I adapted by thinking how can our customers still get to enjoy our offerings,” she said, so she launched the “Oppa at Home” wherein food items are delivered to customers’ doorsteps. This idea became a hit. The restaurant also has a take-out option.
To ensure business continuity amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Olivares had to cut operational costs without compromising the quality of products and services, saying these times are unpredictable.
She also lamented that many all-out food businesses had to close and open repetitively because of confusing quarantine classifications. Despite this, she didn’t retrench her staff because she sees them as her children.
“When they encounter problems in finance, for instance, I talk to them. I’d feel bad if they’ll be laid off due to the pandemic, that’s why I really find ways for them,” she said.
Olivares always reminds her staff that “it’s going to be okay” and to follow the health and safety measures in the workplace. While many business owners feel the impact of the pandemic, “they have to have the mental toughness and look for solutions and opportunities from this crisis,” she also said.
Oppa has outlets in the south: Pacita, Paciano Calamba, and Lucena City. It offers a lot of promos including the free Oppa baseball cap, and eyes to sell its premium meats and sauces. It prides itself in creating inspirational cuisine as well as providing a fresh twist to some old favorites. Inspired by both traditional and K-Pop ambiance, it’s the ideal place for families, associates, friends, young ones and students, etc.
Here, guests can cook, grill and dine at a very affordable price while enjoying music videos from some of the best K-Pop artists in South Korea. The restaurant also offers the famous Yangnyeom Korean fried chicken made with real honey and gojuchang.
“We are always chockfull when the dine-in option is allowed,” Olivares said, adding that customers love to cook through the grill on their table.
Her customers, she said, are very loyal and supportive of the brand. “They would opt to eat at Oppa and say good things about us afterwards,” she said. They also say the offerings are authentic, delicious and more importantly, the staff are very friendly and extra nice. They are “full and happy” every time they leave, she added.
This year, Olivares is ready to entertain potential franchisees as she makes sure the partnership guarantees success amid the pandemic. “I can tell our success rate would be around 85 percent,” she said.
She eyes to take at least two franchisees for this year so she can be hands-on in the process as many franchisees are conservative because of the uncertainty in the market.
Olivares was supposed to go to South Korea with her family last year to check out what’s new in its samgyeopsal but the flight was cancelled. “You have to give what the customers like,” she said.
The franchise business starts from P750,000 which includes P400,000 worth of equipment as well as the layout and design of the shop, training, consultation with her, etc. A franchisee has the liberty to do whatever he or she has in mind, such as promotions, provided that Olivares is consulted of the plan.
Olivares also promises her franchisees of transparency, a fruitful partnership as well as sharing what she has learned from her business experience.
Affordable vacuum-sealed premium raw meats will be supplied to local supermarkets within her area and she will also sell some merchandise. These, she said, would be ideal as holiday presents. Packaging is being embellished, too.
