Tips and Guides

It was in 1997 when the orange and blue logo of Unioil as first flashed during the inauguration of Unioil’s maiden station along Ninoy Aquino Avenue, Parañaque. Since then, Unioil has slowly but surely emerged as a formidable industry player establishing service station in various areas. By 2003, Unioil’s retail network reached Mindanao with its first station located at Ecoland, Davao City.

We seek individuals who are customer service and relationship-oriented; who display maturity and stability; who possess high personal standards; and who meet the initial investment requirements.

Unioil requires its franchisees to participate in the day-to-day activities of owning, operating and maintaining a Unioil Service Station on a full-time basis. The people we thus seek should also be able to meet the physical, mental and emotional challenges that may arise.

Franchise Pagkage

Use of Retail Operating System
Use of Trade Name & Logo
Feasibility Study
Dealership Training
Station Designing, Engineering, Pre-construction meeting with Contractors, Complete set of Service Station plans
Front Office POS
Pump Dispensers
Complete Set of Signages
Supply of Marketing Collaterals and Paraphernalia
Sponsorship and Planning of Grand Station Opening
New Product Launch and Promotion
Co-branding / tie-up projects with Major brands

Application Procedure:

1. Request for the following forms from the Retail Department

Letter of Intent Template

Dealer Application Form

2. Submit the following documents together with the accomplished forms listed above.

Lot Plan

Vicinity Map

Submit the following documents together with the accomplished forms listed above.

Lubes Distributorship

Unioil is one of the leading marketers of lubricant products in the Philippines today. With an ISO 9002 certified blending facility, Unioil lubricants are of world-class quality priced competitively for the Philippine market. Unioil is also the exclusive distributor of Idemitsu brand of lubricants, the leading lubricant brand in Japan.

We are currently expanding our network and are looking for business partners to distribute UNIOIL and Idemitsu Lubricants in the following areas:

Region I – Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Pangasinan, La Union
Region II – Cagayan, Nueva Viscaya
Region III – Bataan, Zambales
Region IV – Palawan, West Batangas
Region V – Iloilo City
Region VIII – Samar, Leyte
Region X – Misamis Occidental
Region XII – Cotabato, Lanao, Gen. Santos City
Region XIII – Surigao, Butuan

Qualifications:

1. Entrepreneurial and open to innovation and change.

2. Possess the drive to actively market the products within his territory.

3. Attend to the distributorship on a full-time basis.

4. Must be familiar with his territory.

5. Willing to undergo Unioil’s Distributorship Training Course.

6. Not presently engaged in any business with competing brands.

7. Preferably with existing facilities, manpower and network.

8. Pleasing personality and good moral character.

9. Can provide collateral.

Application Procedure:

1. Submit the following forms and submit it to Lubes Department

a. Letter of Intent Template

b. Distributorship Application Form

UNIOIL PETROLEUM PHILIPPINES, INC.
Head Office:
2701 West Tower PSE Center, Exchange Road, Ortigas Center, Tel. No.: (632) 687-8877
Fax No.: (632) 631-2032

Sta. Ana Depot:
2453 Pedro Gil St., Sta. Ana, Manila
Tel. No.: (632) 564-1991 to 92
Fax No.: (632) 564-4486

Valenzuela Plant:
93 Rubbermaster Road, Bo. Lingunan, Valenzuela
Tel. No.: (632) 443-5162
Fax No.: (632) 293-0319

Source and photo from www.unioil.com

7-Eleven® provides an opportunity for entrepreneurs and business partners to operate their own convenience store with the leading name in the business. If you are a goal-oriented individual who wants to grow with a well-established retailer, 7-Eleven invites you to take a look at what the 7-Eleven® franchise system has to offer.

7-Eleven® provides:

• a reliable, fresh assortment of high-quality products
• speedy transactions
• every day fair prices
• a clean, safe and friendly environment to shop.

Philippine Seven Corporation gives you the chance to operate your own business by having access to 7-Eleven® expertise, business operating systems and support of a highly successful global corporation.

You need determination to do it, the smarts to get it done, the power to motivate your employees and the financial commitment to make it all happen. It can be a rewarding experience for those willing to take the challenge.

7-Eleven® offers:

a. A popular and reliable global brand with a wholesome image. The top-of-mind convenience store among customers in the Philippines and the third most recognized brand in the world;
b. An established retail operating system proven over 20 years of retail experience;
Access to 7-Eleven®‘s logistics and distribution resources;
Continuous developmental marketing, product R&D, and operational support;
c. A comprehensive 6-week training program on the operation and management of a 7-Eleven® store;
d. Assigned Operations Field Consultant (OFC) who visits with the Franchisee at least once a week to provide counsel on every aspect of the business;
e. Monthly financial and marketing records prepared by 7-Eleven® for the franchisee

FAQs:

Q. What are the qualifications of a 7-Eleven® franchisee?
A. You love a good challenge, ready to put in hardwork, manage people and monitor finances, be a creative salesperson and help foster a shopping environment that entices your customers.

• A self-driven entrepreneur;
• Knows how to motivate his staff;
• Willing to directly oversee the operations of a 7-Eleven®
• Service oriented, hardworking and possess strong entrepreneurial skills
• Financially capable to fund the investment
• Must not and is not directly or indirectly engaged in any similar business in conflict with 7-Eleven®

Q. How much is the investment required for a 7-Eleven®?
A. The financial requirement ranges from P3 to P7 Million.

Q. What is included in the investment?
A. The investment includes the operational rights of the store, equipment and facilities, furniture and fixtures, air-con system, signage, and initial inventory.

Q. If I don’t have a location can I apply for a franchise?
A. Yes, you can still apply. You will have the option to choose between a new store, and an existing store.

Q. Can a corporation apply for a franchise?
A. Yes, a corporation may apply the franchise, but it is the required that the majority shareholder be the principal applicant and attends the training.

Q. How much is the return on investment?
A. The convenience store profitability is dependent on several factors such as; satisfying customer’s needs; how well you implement and work the 7-Eleven® operating principles; sales performance; and your ability to control operating expenses. Other questions on financial viability will be discussed only during the interview process.

Q. What is the required lot size or floor area?
A. The floor area for a 7-Eleven® store is ideally 120 square meters.

Q. How long is the training program?
A. The franchisee is required to successfully complete a 6-week full time training program which is combined classroom and in-store.

Q. Who will provide the manpower to operate the store?
A. Store manpower salaries and benefits will be provided by the Franchisee

Property Conversion Program

Lease out your property or convert your existing business to a 7-Eleven® Store!

Are you a property owner or do you run a business with a prime location looking to leverage the strength of a global retailer for growth? There’s no time like the present to lease out or convert your business and franchise a 7-Eleven® Store, the Philippines’ leader in convenience store retailing.

7-Eleven® is looking for energetic property and business owners who share our passion for retailing and have a desire to serve customers. If you an existing business located in a prime location in any part of Metro Manila, and the major provinces, town proper, and thoroughfares in Luzon, we would like to discuss this business opportunity with you!

Minimum requirements include:

located in a prime location such as business and call center districts, transit stations, factory, residential and schools areas
Preferably a corner location with double frontage, or a non-corner location with a 7 meter frontage

Qualifications:

You need to be an ambitious, entrepreneurial person who is willing to assume the risks – and reap the rewards of owning your own business.

Our company seeks the right individual who will operate selected 7-Eleven® Foodstore:

1. Ability to fund investment requirement
2. Willing to undergo full-time, 6 weeks training
3. Willing to devote time to oversee day to day operations
4. Willingness to work within the franchisor’s guidance
5. Ready to put hardwork, manage people, monitor finances, and be a creative salesperson and help foster a shopping environment that entices your customers.
6. Must not and is not directly or indirectly engaged in any similar business in conflict with 7-Eleven®

Pawnbroking activities in the Philippines are governed by Presidential Decree No. 114, otherwise knowm as the Pawnshop Regulation Act. Only Filipinos may own a pawnshop organized as a single proprietorship. For partnerships and corporations, foreign ownership should be limited to 30 percent.

So what’s the procedure involved in starting a Pawnshop Business?

1. CALL Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) pawnshop hotline, (02)524-8713, to check if the pawnshop name you want is already taken.

2. Register your business either at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), for single proprietorship, or the Securities and Exchange Commission, for partnerships or corporations.

The DTI is at the Trade & Industry Building, Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Makati. In the provinces, DTI offices are in or near municipal buildings. Application forms are also available at DTI’s website, http://www.dti.gov.ph. Only Filipinos may own a pawnshop organized as a single proprietorship. For partnerships and corporations, foreign ownership should be limited to 30 percent.

3. Secure a business permit from the city or municipality where pawnshop will be located.

4. Register with the BSP. See http://www.bsp.gov.ph/regulations/forms.htm for the complete list of requirements. These include permits from the DTI or SEC and the local government, an information sheet, personal data sheets, bank certification of at least P100,000 capital and location sketch.

5. Pay the processing fee of P1,000.

6. It will take two to three weeks for the BSP to process your application. Make sure you open your business within six months after the application is approved or your permit will be revoked.

Source: Jamie Alarcon, Chona Galang, PDI Research, photo from www.openeyegallery.co.uk/

Pole Sitaw (Vigna unguiculata L.)

It is known as sitaw in Tagalog, utong in Ilocano, hantak in Waray, batong in Cebuano and latuy for the people of Marinduque. I wonder how it is called in Maranao, Tausug or in Bicolano?

Pole Sitao is a climbing herb crop raised basically for its pods, although shoots and young leaves are also edible. Pods are slender, 30-60 cm long and somewhat inflated with many seeds whose color depends on the variety. The crisp young pods, which have a high nutritional value, can be sauteed alone or cooked along with other vegetables.

Varieties

1. CSL-19- early maturing variety, which flowers 37 to 43 days after planting. Pods are light green, crisp, smooth textured, and non-fibrous with good eating quality. CSL-19 is moderately resistant to black bean aphids and bean fly. Other light-green-podded varieties are CSL-14, CSL-15, CSL-16, PS3, and PS 1.

2. 83-0002 ? is a variety with dark green leaves, which flowers 39-48 days after planting, It is moderately resistant to bean fly and pod borer and has a high level of resistance to fusarium wilt. Pods are dark green with purple tips, crisp and non-fibrous, and with good eating quality. Seed coat is very thick. Other fark-green-podded varieties are Sandigan, CSD-4, 87-005, Acc 288, CSD-36 and 89-020.

Climate and Soil Requirements

Pole sitao is well adapted to the lowland tropics with a temperature range of 20-35C. It grows best under full sunlight although it can also tolerate partial shading.

Adequate supply of water and a rich, friable, fertile soil promotes healthy growth and good quality pods.

Planting

Pre-germinate or directly sow seeds in pots or drill 2.5 to 3.5 cm deep in the plots with a distance of 30 cm. Construct trellis/stakes, 200-250 m long to support the vines after the seedlings have fully developed. Boxes, plastic twines, abaca twines or wire will also help support the climbing habit of the crop.

Apply organic waste to enhance crop vigor and yield. Mulch the crop with grass clippings and kitchen waste.

To minimize pest and damage, plant marigold and holy basil (solasi) in borders to repel insects. Spread grated coconut waste over the plant to invite ants, which feed on worms. Spray hot pepper extract with soap against aphids and podborers.

Harvesting

Pick young pods six to seven weeks after planting or when seeds become visible on the outline of the pod. Fresh pods left in the field becomes tough and dissolved. Seeds become swollen, which reduces yielding capacity. Harvest every 2-3 days.

For marketing, 20-40 pods may be bundled. Store in a cool (8C), dry place up to four weeks.

Source:PCARRD Pole Sitaw Production Guide; photo from www. karen.mychronicles.net