Filipinos are naturally food-crazy. Since we have influences from various countries, pizza has also become one of the popular foods that Filipinos love to eat. And what makes it even better is when a power couple has come up with an idea to make it just the way Filipinos want them.
Eduard and Teresa Ngan Tian are behind the successful franchise Lots’A Pizza who started the business in 1987. It was not an instant success as they began to renting out small stalls near San Beda College selling siopao, hamburgers, peanuts, to name a few. While Eduard was taking care of the business, Teresita worked at San Beda Alabang as finance and administrative director.
There came a time when stalls were left unoccupied. And to compensate for the loss, Teresita came up with the idea of making pizza since no one was selling the same nearby. And it became a click. When business boomed, Teresita needed to give up her career to pursue learning in pizza technology. She was also able to develop the signature sauce of Lots’A Pizza. They started the pizza business in 1996. From then on, their business just kept growing until they decided to have the company franchised. Today, they have 145 franchised outlets all over the Philippines and 26 company-owned stores.
Here is a short interview with Ms. Teresita Ngan Tian:
Business Mentor: What are your simple joys?
Ms. Ngan Tian: (My) Simple joys (are to) travel with family, shopping, watching favorite teleseryes.
Business Mentor: When did you know that you have reached your goal?
Ms. Ngan Tian: When I was able to pass on the skills that created more businesses, employment, and opportunities down the line. That was through franchising. I believe we have been able to give on a profitable and sustainable brand/business. This is confirmed by the many multi-unit owners in our franchise group. (ownership of 5/10/25 and 30 branches by a single franchisee). In fact, our expansion in outlets is being generated internally by existing franchisees. We are dedicated to our franchisees’ growth that goes beyond sales. We continue to maintain trust and good relationships with them. We become role models on values of integrity, commitment, and credibility.
Business Mentor: If you had an opportunity to start all over again, would you still choose this path? Why?
Ms. Ngan Tian: I Will definitely start again because what I am doing now is an ongoing mission to help others and give back.
Business Mentor: How do you balance your work and family?
Ms. Ngan Tian: My favorite workplace- our home, the most crucial role that I will never exchange with my position. My husband, children, and grandchildren will always be my priority. The business can continue operating because we have subordinates to manage. Still, there can never be a substitute for my husband, children, and grandchildren. That is why I still tend the home. – doing marketing in the wet market, performing grocery work, supervising household help, paying bills, checking our resources, money, utilities, etc. I continuously check on our home even when I am out for work or other activities. I make sure that things are always in order and my family safe and healthy.
Business Mentor: Has it always been your dream to become an entrepreneur?
Ms. Ngan Tian: My first dream was to be successful in my career. Being a CPA, I dreamt of being a partner in a very prestigious firm like SGV. But Ed convinced me to quit my day job and help in our fledgling pizza business. I realized that I wanted to be one’s own boss (BOOB principle) to have complete control of my time and resources.
Business Mentor: How do you keep up with everyday challenges?
Ms. Ngan Tian: everything becomes positive and easy when we start the day with a prayer; after all, God is the trustworthy source of knowledge, wisdom, and physical strength. This I do without fail even when I am abroad. I organize and prioritize things that I need to accomplish for the day. I make sure that schedules do not overlap to give proper time and attention to the task at hand. I find time to update knowledge through reading. Discussions with Ed, who is more abreast of developments, call people I can ask for advice, and of course, have a short nap after lunch before I go back to work. At the end of the day, when I feel stressed, I take a quick stroll around the mall window shopping (usually ATC) then take a light dinner at my favorite resto. Or I go out with friends. For myself alone, I go to the spa to relax and have the necessary treatments. In all these, I need to be optimistic so that problems can be easily solved or anticipated.
Business Mentor: What is your most fervent dream?
Ms. Ngan Tian: Starting our business was challenging, risky, but fulfilling. We learned the beginning, midpoint, and end of the business operations on our own initiative and resourcefulness. Our employment background as GM and finance executives helped us a lot, though. I believe our hands-on commitment and style allowed us to witness the usual business cycle. More than this, we as a couple run the business with shared responsibility. From here, we continue to build businesses and values -n integrity, trustworthiness, generosity, willingness to admit failures and start all over again. We have to maintain openness to learn new things and, if necessary, hire/consult experts who can do things we cannot do or can do better than us.
Business Mentor: Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Ms. Ngan Tian: In the next 5 years, I would like to know the company is a globally competitive brand being at par with other brands in our category. I would like to see LAP opening stores abroad. I would like to know the brand value of LAP to be a multi-million brand belonging to the top pizza brands in the country. And of course, I would like to see the growth in career and livelihood of our employees and our existing franchisees becoming franchisors. Hopefully, I am buying a franchise from them too.
It is incredible how their business has grown this much, and it is expected to grow even more. With the patience and perseverance of the power couple, indeed, everything is possible. They are not only focused on expanding their business for their own interest. But they are also helping so many people get employed. And that is just what makes them even happier- to be able to share their blessings with others and provide a means of living.
——————————————————
You may contact Armando “Butz” Bartolome for questions and more information.
By email: aob@gmb.ph
FB Page: Armando Bartolome
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/franguru/
Website: https://www.gmb.ph
