Wildflour says IPO ‘big possibility’ in the near future

Philippine premier casual restaurant operator Wildflour Hospitality Group says going public is a “big possibility” in the near future, with its founder and chief executive officer Ana Lorenzana de Ocampo optimistic for the year as the company continues with its expansion.

“It’s something that we are talking about. It’s really a possibility, a big possibility for us in the near future,” de Ocampo told reporters in a recent interview, but declined to elaborate on the timeline for the planned initial public offering (IPO).

This comes as the Wildflour Group secured a significant investment from private equity firm KV Asia Capital, reported at $15 million, marking its first investment in the Philippines following forays in different markets in the region.

“Our partnership with KV Asia raises the ceiling for us to be able to do these things. It’s something that we are talking about,” de Ocampo said.

De Ocampo is bullish for 2025, with the company set to open around 12 to 14 new outlets this year which will add to its 27 outlets in Metro Manila.

The new branches will include the flagship Wildflour stores, and brands such as Little Flour Filipino restaurant George and Onnie’s, Japanese concept Kei Maki, Pizza Sisters, and a new Italian concept Osteria Antica.

The company’s portfolio also includes brands such as Pink’s Burgers, Hodogs, and Shakes, and Farmacy Ice Cream and Soda Fountain.

For this year the group is looking to expand outside the metropolis, with the first branch outside Metro Manila set to be opened in Baguio City around April or May this year.

“So far this year, we started the year well. I mean, it was a good start for us, and I’m hoping the trajectory goes upward as we go into 2025, and I’m just very hopeful. We wouldn’t be building all these restaurants if we didn’t have, we didn’t feel confident about the market,” de Ocampo said.

“I think we’re very happy how restaurants are performing, but I’m hopeful that 2025 will be a good year for us,” she added.

?She noted, however, challenges moving forward such as training and maintaining its work force, along with inflation, with prices of raw materials increasing which eventually drive up prices of items on the menu, along with higher construction costs.

“It’s really a domino effect right, inflation. But yes, manpower, inflation, those are the big challenges for us,” she said. — BM, GMA Integrated News