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Al Ahli Group's subsidiary reports 1,000 daily customers to its first-of-its-kind themed restaurant
Filipino brands Binalot, Jay-J's, Fruitas Group, Mochi Crème, Zagu, Fiftea along with its in-house brands Kwekie Bites and Breadshop proved hit to Filipinos and other expats
Thanks to an overwhelming response to Little Manila, the first authentic Filipino-themed restaurant in the region, Al Ahli Group is now bringing the well-received concept to Satwa and Abu Dhabi.
Little Manila offers multiple top Filipino food brands under one roof including Binalot, Jay-J's, Fruitas Group, Mochi Crème, Zagu, Fiftea, along with its in-house brands Kwekie Bites and Breadshop.
Parvez Naqvi, International Business Development Head for Al Ahli Holding Group, said that their inaugural branch in Muraqqabat Deira receives 1,000 daily foot traffic with some coming from as far as Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and other emirates of the UAE.
In line with this up beat demand, the company is now ramping up Little Manila's expansion. The Satwa branch is set to be completed in the second half of 2016, to be followed by the opening of the Abu Dhabi branch.
Naqvi said: "We are excited for the upcoming new Little Manila branches, which will offer the same flavourful concepts that Filipinos and many other nationalities like. Filipinos are fun- and food-loving people and they do go out with families and friends a lot."
"We have about 1,000 customers per day which speaks of the great reception to this unique concept and good quality of food and service," he added.
A themed restaurant, Little Manila pioneered in bringing the iconic Philippine jeepney as a symbol of Filipinos' presence in the UAE.
Its walls are also festooned with snapshots of local traditions showcasing the country's rich colourful history and multinational influence that dates back to the colonial Spanish period.
Original Pilipino Music (OPM) is constantly played in the background, walking customers through memory lane or simply getting them into the groove.
Filipino patrons and other curious expats who want to sample the rich culinary heritage of the Philippines from Spanish, American, Japanese and Chinese influences continue to fill the restaurant any time of the day.
Al Ahli Group, the 40-year-old, UAE-based, multi-diversified international conglomerate, which ventured into Little Manila, did a one-of-its-kind survey before the project came into fruition.
The survey showed that 8 out of 10 Filipinos in the UAE eat out four times a week with 84 percent of the respondents admitting to being frequent diners. Five percent eat out twice a month while 11 percent dine out once.
The survey also pointed out that majority of Filipinos in the UAE are willing to spend up to AED40 for a meal, with over 40 percent favouring a concept that involves grilled meat and rice wrapped in banana leaf.
Sheikh Mustafa, Deputy General Manager for Food & Beverage and International Business Development of Al Ahli Group, said: "Little Manila is designed to give Filipinos a place where they can unwind and comfortably feel at home with its authentic Filipino food choices and an atmosphere that will remind them of the Philippines."
About
Little Manila is a themed restaurant that offers an array of food choices from multiple Filipino brands, such as Binalot, Jay-J's, Fruitas Group, Mochi Crème, Zagu, Fiftea along with its in-house brands Kwekie Bites and Breadshop. From appetizers, main course meals, to desserts, beverages and street food, Little Manila gives its customers that distinct Filipino taste and feel at a price they afford any day.
From its interiors to the service it provides, the restaurant offers a complete dining experience that ultimately makes the Filipino feel at home. After all, Little Manila is theirs--as the restaurant's mantra goes, "Atin Ito", a Pinoy phrase that means "This is ours".
Visit its website at www.littlemanila.com. Little Manila is also on Facebook and Twitter (@LittleManilaME).
About
Al Ahli Holding Group is a multi-diversified international conglomerate with over four decades of successfully dealing with business activities ranging from real estate to turnkey construction, engineering and infrastructure, retail and trading, technology and logistics, lifestyle and fitness, entertainment, hospitality and innovative developments. With great passion and a very active portfolio in the entertainment industry, AAHG operates innovative and ground-breaking projects in the UAE. Amongst its portfolio, AAHG owns Dubai Outlet Mall, which is the first outlet mall concept in the Middle East; constructed major landmarks in the Eastern region of UAE; holds the exclusive largest franchise rights to US-based Gold's Gym International in the Middle East and Africa; established Al Ahli Plastics, one of Middle East's largest plastic manufacturing companies; holds licenses to publish Marvel, Warner Bros., DC Comics and Sanrio comics and activity books; recently opened Comicave, the world's largest comic and superhero collectibles destination store at Dubai Outlet Mall; launched Singapore-based Comicave Studios, a manufacturer of high-end collectibles and toys and launched a premiere international events company, Universal Events, which will initially organize the Asia Pop Comic Con events, amongst other international events. Across its multi-entertainment based platforms, AAHG has strategic alliances with Fox Studios, Marvel-Disney, Sony Pictures, Warner Bros., and other leading Hollywood studios. With around 9,000 employees, AAHG is headquartered in the UAE, with representative offices across 20 countries globally.
For inquiries, please contact:
· Ana Margarita Espineli
New Perspective Media
anamargarita@newperspectivemedia.com
+971 4 2940755, +971 56 7634292
© Press Release 2016
