Congo Grille
TypePublic
IndustryRestaurants
FoundedQuezon City, Philippines (1999 (1999))
FounderKenneth Sytin, MBA
HeadquartersPasig, Philippines
Number of locations
10
ProductsPhilippine cuisine
Grilled food
Websitewww.congogrille.com (defunct)

Congo Grille is a chain of family restaurants in the Philippines named for its African jungle-themed interiors.[1] In contrast to the decor, the cuisine is predominantly Filipino with a smidgen of Western and Chinese foods. The restaurant is also popularly known as The Sisig King for its recent achievements in a food feast celebrating the favorite Filipino dish.[2] The chain has plans to build stores overseas, especially in the United States.[3]

History

Congo Grille at SM City Clark, Angeles, Pampanga

Congo Grille was established in 1999 by Kenneth Sytin and his brothers. That year, the business had as many as 13,000 customers a month and was dubbed "the fastest growing grill in town."[4] In 2006, Congo Grill participated in the Annual Sisig Festival held in Angeles City. Their pork sisig and two other sisig dishes won first prizes in the major categories.[5][6]

The restaurant operates based on three concepts; a Philippine restaurant in an air conditioned environment, food without monosodium glutamate, and a mascot (an ape in a safari outfit) for entertaining youngsters.[1] Congo Grille was opened for franchising in 2008.[7]

The first franchised-operated store opened at the Araneta Center in 2009.[2]

Charities

A common meal of sisig, rice and iced tea

In 2007, Congo Grille, along with other companies, organized a party to feed 407 children of low-income families in the city of Valenzuela. This was part of a program dealing with nationwide hunger.[8]

Two years later, they teamed up with local television network GMA in feeding low-income individuals. Workers of the restaurant chain offered meals to 300 people in Quezon City, its birthplace. Toys and other collectibles were also donated.[9]

References

  1. 1 2 "Go 'ape' over Congo Grille". Manila Standard Today. August 16, 2006. Retrieved 2008-11-20.
  2. 1 2 "Sisig King franchise store opens in Cubao". Malaya - The National Newspaper. August 28, 2009. Archived from the original on August 31, 2009. Retrieved 2009-09-12.
  3. ↑ Antonetta Valdez-Pua (September 8, 2006). "Secrets To Premium Grilled Food". Manila Bulletin Online. Retrieved 2008-12-28.
  4. ↑ "Congo Grille creates perfect recipe for franchise success". The Daily Tribune. June 27, 2008. Archived from the original on April 16, 2013. Retrieved 2008-12-20.
  5. ↑ Reynaldo G. Navales (December 9, 2006). "Kapampangans show cooking skills at Sisig festival". Sun.Star Pampanga. Archived from the original on November 10, 2007. Retrieved February 22, 2009.
  6. ↑ dbmedia (2007-08-23). "Congo Grille Opens at Trimona". DBMedia. Retrieved on 2010-12-26.
  7. ↑ "'Sisig' king opens business opportunities at Franchise Expo". The Manila Times Internet Edition. August 31, 2008. Archived from the original on September 18, 2010. Retrieved February 16, 2009.
  8. ↑ "Nourishing the young through spoonfuls of joy". The Manila Times Internet Edition. November 4, 2007. Archived from the original on January 6, 2008. Retrieved 2009-02-22.
  9. ↑ "Congo Grille cooks for a cause". Malaya-The National Newspaper. February 9, 2009. Archived from the original on November 21, 2008. Retrieved 2009-02-15.
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