Potato Corner

Last updated

Potato Corner
Current logo since 2023
Product type French fries outlet chain
OwnerShakey's Pizza Asia Ventures Inc. (SPAVI)
Country Philippines
Introduced1992;33 years ago (1992) [1]
MarketsSoutheast Asia, East Asia, Oceania, Saudi Arabia, North America, UAE, United Kingdom

Potato Corner is a Philippine food franchise known for its flavored French fries. Potato Corner's first stall opened up in SM Megamall in Mandaluyong, Philippines, on October 16, 1992 under Cinco Corporation. [2]

Contents

History

A Potato Corner outlet at Ayala Malls Central Bloc, Cebu City Potato Corner at the Ayala Malls Central Bloc (2024-06-01).jpg
A Potato Corner outlet at Ayala Malls Central Bloc, Cebu City

Potato Corner was founded by Jose Magsaysay Jr., Ricky Montelibano, Danny Bermejo and George Wieneke in 1992. Montelibano is Magsaysay's brother-in-law and was the first to introduce flavored popcorn to the Philippines. Although he had been working for a local Wendy's for nine years, Magsaysay needed to support his family and came up with the idea of flavored fries, based on Montelibano's business. They had to borrow money to raise the starting financial capital of 150,000 (US$ 5879.47, equivalent to ₱150,000 in 2021). Magsaysay left his management job at Wendy's and the first Potato Corner, a cart in Mandaluyong, opened in October 1992. Within thirty days, all of them were able to pay back their loans. [3] [4]

Former logo used until 2023, but still used in their packaging. POTATO-CORNER LOGO VECTOR 2019 REGISTERED-1-300x94.png
Former logo used until 2023, but still used in their packaging.

After their initial success, they began to consider expanding through franchises. Magsaysay knew only the basics of franchising from his job at Wendy's and at the time it was a novel idea in the Philippines. As such, their first franchisee agreements were largely informal and their first franchisee signed a document they copied from online. The group raised funds for their expansion and quickly became large in the local market. [3]

A Potato Corner outlet at Xibeiwang MIXC, Beijing, China Potato Corner at Xibeiwang MIXC One B1 (20240604134141).jpg
A Potato Corner outlet at Xibeiwang MIXC, Beijing, China

In 2006, Potato Corner opened its first international store in Indonesia. [5] This was followed by Potato Corner's first entry in the United States in February 2010 and first store in the United States in 2012. [5] In April 2017, Potato Corner opened its first Hong Kong franchise in Tsim Sha Tsui. [6]

In 2021, Shakey's Pizza Asia Ventures Inc., the Philippine franchise of Shakey's Pizza, acquired Potato Corner; [7] the acquisition deal was completed in 2022. [8] [9] In 2025, Potato Corner expanded to Taiwan. [10]

Location

Potato Corner is present in 15 countries and territories as of 2025. 400 of its stores is situated overseas. [11] [12]

Awards and recognition

Potato Corner garnered a number of accolades through the years. Potato Corner bagged the Best Franchisee of the Year for three consecutive years from PFA and DTI. Awarded by the same organizations, Potato Corner also received the Franchisee Excellence Hall of Fame Award in 2003 and the Global Filipino Franchise Award in 2017. [13]

Brand image

Potato Corner's official mascot, Poco (formerly Spudster), was introduced by the brand in 2009, and can be seen in all of its stores and buckets. Spudster received a Master License for Los Angeles County in 2009. [14] [15]

References

  1. Dumlao-Abadilla, Doris (December 3, 2018). "Globalizing corporate Philippines". business.inquirer.net. Philippine Daily Inquirer. Archived from the original on August 31, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2019.
  2. "Potato Corner Seeks Franchisees As it Ramps Up Branches to 5,000 in Next 5 Years". Entrepreneur.com.ph. Archived from the original on September 4, 2018. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
  3. 1 2 Gamboa, Rey (December 10, 2016). "A very interesting entrepreneurial start". The Philippine Star . Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  4. Featherston, Ellie (July 25, 2019). "We're fast. We're always ready: Jose Magsaysay". The CEO Magazine. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  5. 1 2 "PH's leading french fries business Potato Corner opens first store in HK". Primer Media Inc. Archived from the original on September 4, 2018. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
  6. "Potato Corner's first Hong Kong store is an early hit". ABS-CBN News . April 13, 2017. Archived from the original on December 15, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2022.
  7. Rivas, Ralf (December 24, 2021). "Shakey's buys Potato Corner". Rappler. Archived from the original on April 21, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  8. "Shakey's buys Potato Corner Singapore". Malaya Business Insight. March 9, 2022. Archived from the original on April 21, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2021.
  9. "PRESS RELEASE – POTATO CORNER CELEBRATES 30 FLAVORFUL YEARS OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP" (PDF). Shakey's Pizza. December 19, 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved April 21, 2024.
  10. "Filipino 'King of Fries' Potato Corner opens in Taipei Aug. 4, 2025 09:52". Taiwan News. August 4, 2025. Retrieved August 16, 2025.
  11. "Countries and Territories". Potato Corner. Retrieved August 16, 2025.
  12. Mercurio, Richmond (July 4, 2025). "SPAVI bringing Potato Corner to Taiwan, Laos". Philippine Star. Retrieved August 16, 2025.
  13. Arceo-Dumlao, Tina. "New life, new vision". Archived from the original on September 4, 2018. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
  14. "Our History". Potato Corner. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
  15. "A first look at Poco, Potato Corner's playful new mascot – adobo Magazine". Adobo Magazine. May 3, 2024. Retrieved August 16, 2025.