MANILA - “What sets the next generation apart is their ambition and purpose.”

With these words, the Philippine Franchise Association started its search for the next generation franchise leaders in 2015, and this has culminated with two Pinoys being recognized as the Next Generation Global Franchise Leaders.

In a franchise convention attended by over 3,000 delegates from around the world, Hans Yao, owner and president of the Paper Stone, and Joseph Calata, owner and chief executive of Calata Corporation were both awarded during the International Franchise Association Franchise Convention in San Antonio, Texas on February 20.

Each winner was flown to the US to rub shoulders with top CEOs and executives of the franchise world and participate in a franchise acceleration program that will help both companies grow locally and internationally.

With over 100 stores, Joseph Calata’s Agri retail franchise aims to upgrade and professionalize the agri retail industry and provide farmers with lower cost materials, and better knowledge of how to maximize their yield.

With professional agri technicians visiting various provinces and a call center that can answer any questions about the product and the business, the agri franchise aims to be “be the 7-11 of the Agri-Retail industry,” said Calata in his pitch to franchise leaders and venture capitalists from around the world.

PAPER STONE

Hans Yao and the Paper Stone franchise, on the other hand, aims to bring back the joy and beauty into writing.

“Remember the days when we actually wrote on notebooks, and collected pictures and memorabilia in a scrapbook?” he asked the audience as he presented the brand.

The Paper Stone won the global award for its efforts in targeting millennials with constantly changing designs, a strong social media presence, and keen understanding of the youth market. With over 50 percent of Filipinos under 24, Paper Stone has already grown to nine stores in less than a year, and aims to reach 100 stores in just five years.

With a strong franchise program developed by professionals and a franchise market that continues to grow, both entrepreneurs continue to use the power of franchising to grow their businesses using other people’s time, money and people. And both entrepreneurs have once again proven that Filipino entrepreneurs have what it takes to make it big in the global franchise stage.

For more information on franchising, Francorp is organizing “How to Franchise Your Business” seminars for entrepreneurs on Mar 15 and April 13, 2016. For inquiries, please contact 638-3149, email info@francorp.com.ph or visit www.francorp.com.ph.

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Sam Christopher Lim is the Senior Vice-President for marketing & strategy at Francorp Philippines, the leading franchise consulting firm worldwide and the President of U-Franchise Sales & Management, the biggest franchise sales company in the Philippines. He is also currently Chair for ASEAN integration for the Philippine Franchise Association & Director for Special Projects.