MAX’S GROUP, Inc. (MGI) is strengthening its presence in North America after partnering with Canada’s Alibin Group, Inc. for the first Max’s Restaurant in Winnipeg.
The country’s largest casual dining restaurant operator said it recently inked a development agreement Alibin to open a Max’s branch in the capital of the Canadian province of Manitoba by 2018. This marks MGI’s fifth development agreement for 2017.
“We welcome the opportunity to once again serve distinct flavors of home to our countrymen based in Canada. We will strive to become part of their growing list of preferred dining destinations through our classic best-sellers,” MGI President and Chief Executive Officer Robert F. Trota said in a statement.
The Alibin group is a privately held corporation that has business interests in retail, food services, accounting, finance and private capital market, architectural, and information technology. Residing in Winnipeg since the early 1990s, MGI noted that the Alibin family has been able to forge business network and alliances since the early 1990s that would be integral in marketing their businesses.
“We are honored to be in partnership with (MGI) and ecstatic to spread the standards, tradition, and experience set by its founders in Winnipeg. Our extensive research determined that the people of Manitoba have been clamoring for a Max’s Restaurant,” MGI quoted Alibin Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Hipolito Alibin, Jr. as saying.
According to its website, Max’s Restaurant is already present in Canada through Vancouver, Toronto, Scarborough, and Edmonton, making the Winnipeg branch its fifth in the country. This will be added to Max’s Restaurant’s network of 175 stores, 27 of which are franchised branches overseas.
Earlier this week, MGI also announced a new partnership to develop five stores under its Sizzlin’ Steak brand in the United Arab Emirates in partnership with Kasamar Holdings.
MGI’s net income attributable to the parent for the first semester of 2017 jumped 12% to P329 million, on the back of an 11% increase in revenues for the period to P6.05 billion.
Shares in MGI slipped 4.20% or 86 centavos to P19.64 apiece at the Philippine Stock Exchange on Wednesday. — Arra B. Francia
