CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—SM Prime Holdings Inc., operators of 55 SM Supermalls operating nationwide, is asking owners of “global brands” to invest in its malls for the benefit of its customers, a high-ranking SM official said.
Bien Mateo, SM Supermalls vice president for Operations in North Luzon, said “We are continuously attracting global brands to benefit our customers and loyal shoppers.”
Mateo, who handles 15 SM Supermalls in North and Central Luzon, said “wholesome shopping and fun will be really achieved if we have popular international brands,” such as the Ramen Nagi Universal Noodles restaurant, which opened on Friday at the SM City Pampanga here.
He, Junias Eusebio, SM Supermalls regional operations manager; Pampanga’s Gov. Lilia Pineda; Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of the Second District; Rep. Aurelio Gonzales of the Third District; City of San Fernando Mayor Edwin Santiago; Mexico town Mayor Teddy Tumang; and Board Member Fritzie David-Dizon attended the opening of Ramen Nagi’s first branch outside of Metro Manila.
Ramen Nagi has eight outlets in Metro Manila, most of which are at SM malls. The first was put up in 2013 at SM Aura Premier.
“This restaurant is widely patronized. We are happy its owners decided to put their first provincial branch at an SM mall in Pampanga,” Mateo said.
SM City Pampanga, which sits on 32 hectares of land at the boundary of this city and Mexico, has between 90,000 and 100,000 visitors daily during peak season, Eusebio said.
Roxanne E. Farillas, one of the owners of the Ramen Nagi’s outlets in the country, said “there were really long lines at our branch at the SM Aura after we opened.”
“We still enjoy good business three years after we opened, that’s why we are expanding,” she said.
Farillas said they invested in Pampanga because its people “appreciate great-tasting food and we know that market and business are growing here.”
She said they will put up a second provincial branch in Baguio City and, “most likely, it will be at the SM City Baguio.”
“This restaurant’s specialty are customized Ramen based on customer’s preferences on the taste. They also serve different Japanese dishes made with quality and imported ingredients providing authentic gourmet items just like the one being served in Japan,” Will Garcia of Will Explore Philippines said on September 16.
“This growing restaurant was founded by Ikuta Satoshi in Fukuoka, Japan, where he started with a small space with few tables and chairs. Because of the best-tasting ramen being served, this restaurant continues to grow and is now expanding in the Philippines, specifically in Metro Manila and now in Pampanga,” he said.
Ramen Nagi Universal Noodles has branches at other Asian countries, including Indonesia, China and Taiwan.