MANILA – More than two decades ago, The Bistro Group introduced TGI Friday’s in the Philippines. Fast forward to 2016, the company is bringing in three more American dining concepts to the country.

In a press conference on Tuesday at Italianni’s, also one of their international brands, The Bistro Group president and chief operating officer Jean Paul Manuud announced the expansion plans they have for 2016, which includes the arrival of three US brands.

Perhaps the most familiar among Filipino diners is Denny’s, which has been around for over 60 years and has more than 1,700 branches to date. The American chain serves breakfast items, burgers and sandwiches, among others.

“This is an icon, an American brand. I guess it does not need further introduction – probably everybody is familiar with the brand,” Manuud said of Denny’s. “We are very excited to open this concept.”

The second brand that The Bistro Group is bringing in is Texas Roadhouse, which specializes in steak, ribs and freshly baked bread.

Manuud said Texas Roadhouse is one of his favorite restaurants in the US.

“They were chosen as the Best Steakhouse in the US over the years,” he said, referring to the results of the Consumers’ Choice in Chains Survey.

Moe’s Southwest Grill, which features Tex-Mex fare, is quite different from the rest of the concepts of The Bistro Group, Manuud noted.

“You see, most of our brands have a common denominator. We are very successful in operating sit-down restaurants, casual dining concepts. This is the first time that we will venture [into something like this],” he explained.

“Moe’s boasts itself of having natural chicken and grass-fed beef, and they have more or less 20 kinds of ingredients that are freshly delivered in in the restaurant. So it’s a very healthy place to eat,” he added.

Denny’s, Texas Roadhouse and Moe’s will have their first Philippine branches at Uptown Mall in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. The three concepts are expected to open around March or April of this year.

But even with the new brands, Manuud said they will continue to open branches of their existing concepts. Uptown Mall will also have Italianni’s, Watami and Buffalo Wild Wings by the first quarter, while Boracay now has TGI Friday’s and Italianni’s.

Around 63 restaurants are targeted by The Bistro Group after the first quarter, and 70 by year-end.

Looking back on the company’s 22-year journey, Manuud said: “I think the key to our staying power in the industry is we always try our best, work hard every single day to be better than the other day. And that we promised to our customers 22 years ago when we opened TGI Friday’s… We want to create dining memories for our customers.”

He added: “With 14 brands, we are still committed to continuously work on improving ourselves and improving our food… We listen to our customers. Most of our plans happen from customer feedback.”

The Bistro Group’s other brands include Krazy Garlik, Fish & Co., Bulgogi Brothers, Modern Shanghai, Tonkatsu by Terazawa, Village Tavern and Murray and D’Vine.