Manang’s Café: A Simple But Proud 57-Year Old Legacy
A trusted local brand that has stood the test of time deserves protection. It is not just a name on a sign. It represents years of hard work, loyal customers, and a community story. Many small businesses think trademark protection in the food business is only for big franchises like Jollibee and Mang Inasal, but that is not true. Even a humble local carinderia that grows steadily over the years builds real brand value that lives on. It is more than just a physical landmark for thousands of students… it’s also a mental landmark of some of the best days of their lives.
By registering a trademark, a small business owner secures the value of the name and ensures it can be passed down to the next generation.
How Manang’s Café Shows the Power of a Registered Trademark
This year, we celebrate Manang’s Café for securing its trademark registration in the Philippines. It is a clear example of how responsible trademark management helps a business protect its reputation and plan for future growth.
Since 1968, Manang’s Café has been more than just a carinderia near Southwestern University on J. Urgello Street, Cebu City. It has become a comforting second home for students, boarders, faculty, and nearby workers who return again and again for hearty Filipino meals at fair prices. Over the decades, thousands have lined up at its humble counter to point at their favourite “turo-turo” dishes like Ginamay, Giniling, Bicol Express, Pork BBQ, and Fried Chicken. For many, it was the place to grab a quick breakfast before class, a filling lunch between lectures, or a budget-friendly dinner shared with friends after a long day. The café once expanded with branches near the Cebu Institute of Technology and the University of San Carlos-Talamban Campus, but even when those closed, the original location stayed strong. It shows how a loyal community can help a small eatery stand the test of time.
At the heart of this story is the Briones family, who have run Manang’s Café with dedication for over five decades. Publio Briones, Jr., who grew up in Argao, Cebu, and his siblings turned their passion for food and service into a small business that students and locals could rely on every day. Their commitment kept the café alive through changing times and even a global pandemic, with each generation learning how to keep the simple recipes, fair prices, and welcoming atmosphere intact. Many former boarders, now professionals, still come back to eat at Manang’s whenever they can, bringing their own families to share in the experience.
Manang’s Café shows that you do not have to be a big chain to benefit from trademark protection. A family-run café can protect its name and reputation just as well, keeping its story alive for decades to come.
How About Your Business?
If you run a small restaurant, carinderia, or any other business, think about the value of your brand today and what it could mean for your family tomorrow. Registering your trademark makes it easier to stand out in a busy market and gives you legal backing to stop others from imitating your business.
At Markport®, we specialise in trademark protection and brand design for small businesses and SMEs across the Philippines, Australia, and New Zealand. We help you manage your trademarks professionally so you can focus on growing your business and passing it on to the next generation.
Congratulations again to Manang’s Café for showing how a local favourite can endure and grow when it takes brand protection seriously.
Want to protect your own brand?
Learn more about Trademarks in the Philippine here: https://markport.com.au/trademarks-faq-for-the-philippines/
Learn more about Manang’s Cafe here: https://www.facebook.com/manangscafe