MANILA - Bag and shoe repair chain Mr. Quickie Corp. plans to expand its businesses outside Metro Manila, which it says has become too crowded for the type of services it offers.

Mr. Quickie chief executive officer Emiliano P. Caruncho IV told reporters the company already has outlets in Cebu and Davao, but wants to open more stores there and in other areas.

"We actually have a nationwide presence already. It’s just a matter of finding the right locations and increasing them ... [Our] target is really Cebu and Davao, but it also depends on getting franchisees there because the logistics costs are high if we would be operating the outlets," he said.

"There are 200 branches — 40 are owned while the rest are franchised. Sixty percent are in Metro Manila ... There’s still room for growth outside Manila, which is already too crowded," he said.

Mr. Caruncho claimed no other shoe and bag repair brand has become as big as Mr. Quickie, as the company has been preempting competition by aggressive expansion .The company opens an average of 10 outlets annually, majority of which are franchised, he said.

A franchise costs P1.5 million for a 10- to 15-square-meter location that employs two to three workers. The contract is renewable after five years. "The average return on investment is two years, sometimes less if the location is good," he said.

Mr. Caruncho said the company also plans to experiment with other types of services such as rubber stamping and lamination.

Asked whether the company plans to go public, Mr. Caruncho said he would consider it if no one from the family wants to lead the business.