How F&B SMEs can shine bright this Christmas season

Once you hear Jose Mari Chan or Mariah Carey on loop as early as September, you know the holidays are near—and for Filipino food and beverage (F&B) businesses, that means one thing: it’s go time. Orders start pouring in for lechon belly, party trays, fruitcake, and everything in between.

But alongside the holiday boom comes a less festive challenge: rising food costs. Prices for pork, cheese, packaging, and even spices begin creeping up as early as September. Add in supply chain hiccups, bulk orders, and higher energy bills from round-the-clock prep, and your margins can take a hit if you’re not prepared.

The good news? Your F&B business can still sparkle like a well-decorated Christmas tree. With smart planning and the right financing support, you can protect your margins and keep your kitang kumukutikutitap shining well into the new year.

Just like sprucing up your holiday decor, your pricing strategy deserves a seasonal refresh. Ingredient costs typically rise with demand, so don’t wait until December to make adjustments.

Review your bestsellers and align your prices with current costs. Introduce premium, limited-edition versions of your dishes—holiday platters, special flavors, or gift-ready packaging—that justify festive pricing.

Customers are ready to spend more this season, as long as they feel they’re getting value with every bite.

The holidays move fast—so stock up before prices snowball. Building your holiday pantry early means less scrambling later.

Reach out to trusted suppliers now to negotiate better terms, request discounts, or lock in prices through year-end. Think of it like wrapping your gifts ahead of the 24th: early prep brings peace of mind—and real savings.

Holiday magic is in the details—but excess waste and inefficient prep can melt your profits faster than butter on hot bibingka and steaming puto bumbong.

Standardize your portions, prep in batches, and maximize the use of every ingredient across your menu.

Repurpose trimmings and leftovers into sauces, soups, or sides. Every gram saved brings you closer to a more profitable—and less stressful—Christmas rush.

As you prepare for the holiday surge, what your business really needs is reliable capital to stay ahead of rising costs, meet demand, and keep operations smooth.

With BPI Ka-Negosyo Loans, you can bring your holiday plans to life. Think of BPI as the Rudolph to your Santa—guiding your business through the busiest, most demanding time of the year with flexible financing that lights the way.

The Ka-Negosyo Ready Loan is perfect for short-term needs like stocking up on ingredients, hiring seasonal staff, or refreshing your packaging.

For bigger investments—like kitchen upgrades, cold storage, or even a holiday kiosk—the Ka-Negosyo SME Loan offers longer repayment terms and affordable monthly payments. And when you need day-to-day working capital, the Ka-Negosyo Credit Line gives your business the freedom to move quickly, stay steady, and deliver the holiday magic on time.

So this season, don’t fly blind. With BPI as your lead reindeer, your business can shine bright—and deliver a season that’s not just merry, but profitable too.

Running an F&B business during the -Ber months is like organizing Noche Buena for hundreds—joyful, hectic, and full of moving parts. But with practical strategies and a reliable financial partner, you can keep things merry, bright, and profitable.

Apply for a BPI Ka-Negosyo Loan today and give your business the gift of a well-prepared, cost-efficient holiday season.