MANILA - Kapamilya actor Enchong Dee on Wednesday said he started investing in a restaurant business while young as he doesn't see himself still in front of the camera when he reaches 50.

Dee, 30, realized early on that "showbizness" is not forever. And so he made the decision to franchise outlets of the famous homegrown brand Peri-Peri Chicken Charcoal Chicken and Sauce Bar.

"Showbiz is not forever, I don’t see myself growing old in the business. I don’t see myself being "puyat" (sleepless) at 50 years old still working in front of the camera," Dee said during a panel discussion at the Franchise Asia 2019 International Conference held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

Investing in a restaurant that serves charcoal roasted chicken made sense for Dee, who consider as his inspiration his grandmother, who used to supply chicken for Aristocrat restaurant, and his mother, who used to run a poultry business.

A former swimmer and athlete and a graduate of Developmental Studies at the De La Salle University, Dee said running a business helps him practice what he learned in school.

"I like it when I get to use the things that I’ve studied in La Salle, in action. Because in showbizness I can only do so much with my brain," he said.

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FRANCHISING FOR EVERY FILIPINO

Like the famous Kapamilya actor, every Filipino now has a chance to become a business owner through franchising. Peri-Peri Charcoal Chicken and Sauce Bar, for example, is open for franchising and has 18 branches nationwide, according to its website.

Franchising as a business model is a great strategy for growth, enabling ordinary Filipinos to become their own boss, Philippine Franchise Association (PFA) president Richard Sanz said during the conference.

It is also a vital tool for nation-building that has spurred the growth of middle class Filipinos, Trade Sec. Ramon Lopez said during his keynote speech on Wednesday.

This year, the PFA will be hosting "Asia's biggest franchise show" Franchise Asia 2019 at the SMX Convention Center inside the Mall of Asia Complex. Over 700 local and international franchise brands will be at the expo from March 29 to March 31.

Dee hopes to help Filipinos by creating one job at a time with every franchise he opens and to encourage more citizens to also become a businessman.

Anyone can venture into franchising since fame, he said, is not a ticket to success.

His popularity did "very little help" in his restaurant business, especially when discerning consumers focus on quality of the product and services, he said.

"No matter how popular or how known you are, it all boils down to how good your product is. It all boils down to services, your product and your passion towards that particular business," Dee said.