Eight8ate Holdings Inc. gathered its key suppliers and partners for the first time through Collabor8: Suppliers’ Summit 2026, a milestone initiative aimed at strengthening collaboration and elevating standards across its supply chain.
Held on March 12 at Enderun Colleges, the summit brought together suppliers from across the Philippines and international partners in a full-day event designed to deepen partnerships and align strategic goals for the future of the company’s growing food service platform. Carrying the theme “Building Trust. Elevating Standards. Growing Together.”, the event highlighted Eight8ate’s commitment to building long-term partnerships with suppliers who play a crucial role in delivering quality products and services across its brands.
The event was divided into two sessions: a morning summit for food and packaging suppliers and an afternoon session for general contractor partners, reflecting Eight8ate’s efforts to strengthen collaboration across its operational ecosystem.
In his opening address, Eight8ate President and CEO Mr. Joey R. Garcia emphasized that suppliers are essential partners in the company’s continued growth. He stressed that Eight8ate sees its suppliers not merely as vendors but as strategic partners and co-builders of the company’s brands and long-term vision. Mr. Garcia also reflected on the company’s journey, which began with the acquisition of Conti’s in 2018 and expanded further in 2019 with its entry into the quick-service restaurant segment as the master franchisee of Wendy’s in the Philippines.
He added that the company’s growth has been supported by strong institutional backing, including investments from Metro Pacific Investments Corporation and San Miguel Corporation, reflecting confidence in Eight8ate’s governance and long-term potential.
Amid a rapidly evolving global landscape marked by geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions, Mr. Garcia highlighted the importance of resilience and collaboration across the supply chain.
“Efficiency today is not only about lowering costs. It is about building systems that allow us to adapt, respond, and grow sustainably despite external challenges,” he said.
During the summit, Mr. Paolo A. Conti, Vice President and General Manager for Eight8ate Restaurant Solutions, presented the company’s growth strategy and vision of becoming one of the top three multi-brand food operators in the Philippines. Mr. Conti outlined several strategic initiatives, including global sourcing, product co-development with suppliers, lean operational practices toward Six Sigma standards, and long-term partnerships with supplier partners.
He also highlighted the company’s continued investment in infrastructure and operations, including the expansion of commissaries in Taguig, Bacolor in Pampanga, Marikina, and Mandaue in Cebu, with future plans to establish a facility in Davao City to support nationwide growth.
In addition, the company is strengthening its internal capabilities through team development initiatives, including the establishment of a new training center, the formation of a solid professional team, and the institutionalization of the Bravo University program.
The morning session featured a panel discussion with food supply partners Frosty Boy Australia, J.R. Simplot, and Multi M Food Corp., where discussions centered on “Partnering for Excellence: Innovating and Collaborating Toward World-Class Foodservice.”
Meanwhile, the afternoon session highlighted the company’s infrastructure and development partners, with speakers from LFD Gencon Inc., AVMake Inc., Realsafe Enterprises, and KLG International, along with a presentation from Wendy’s International, sharing insights on building efficient and scalable restaurant systems.
The summit was made possible with the support of industry partners.
Gold sponsors included J.R. Simplot, Frosty Boy Australia, Realsafe Enterprises, KLG International, and AVMake Inc., while silver sponsors included Marhai Construction Corp., Lucos Builders, Mega Fashion, Kurtinas Non-Specialized Wholesale Trading, Commsource Systems and Integrated Solutions, Unique Global Services, LLRJ Trading, and L. Aguilar Construction.
As part of the program, Eight8ate also recognized its top-performing partners through the Supplier Performance Awards, celebrating excellence in areas such as supplier performance evaluation, volume contribution, years of partnership, and cost competitiveness. Awards presented included the Best Supplier Awards and Supply Chain Excellence Awards.
In his closing remarks, Eight8ate Chief Finance Officer Dennis N. Dimaunahan emphasized that sustainable growth is achieved through strong partnerships.
He underscored that meaningful progress is built through collaboration, trust, and shared commitment, adding that while companies may face uncertainties and challenges, they do not have to navigate them alone. “We may not be able to control every wave that comes our way, but with the strength of our partnerships, we can move forward together with confidence,” he said.
Through initiatives such as the Collabor8 Suppliers’ Summit, Eight8ate aims to further strengthen its network of partners while continuing to build resilient, world-class food brands in the Philippines.
