UAE-based Filipino-owned seafood restaurant “Off the Hook” shares how it survived the pandemic woes

Many people around the world, from all walks of life, were affected by the global-wide Covid-19 pandemic. People got sick, lost a loved one, were laid-off from their jobs, and businesses either let go of some employees or permanently closed down.

Today, as government restrictions in different coutries, including the United Arab Emirates, start to ease down, more businesses are slowly operating again. Among those businesses is the seafood restaurant “Off the Hook,” which partnered with the leading Filipino-owned entertainment and media company, ABS-CBN, that is making a comeback to doing international live events through the “1MX Dubai 2021” music festival happening on December 3, at the Trade Centre Arena in Dubai World Trade Centre.

Just like the other businesses in UAE, the Filipino-owned seafood restaurant “Off the Hook,” owned by seven Filipino partners headed by Rolly Brucales, had its fair share of challenges brought about by the pandemic.
 

KAPIT-BISIG: Bayanihan Spirit

Putting up “Off the Hook” in 2016, with the help of fellow Filipinos and his wife, it was a steady growth for their business that entices a lot of local and foreign nationals in the country.

This is until the pandemic hit in 2020, where just like the other businesses, they had to close down some of their physical stores.

“We were not spared and had our share of challenges,” recalled Rolly Brucales, the Co-owner and Managing Director of “Off the Hook.” “The locations inside the mall had to temporarily close and wait until it is already allowed to open again.”

The good thing is that they have stand-alone stores in which they could still operate despite the pandemic, which also served as their training ground on how they could adjust to the changing needs of their customers.
 
“No one was laid off,” Rolly gratefully shares. “Our team had to work together in a way that each one can support each other. This kind of company culture helped in keeping our employees to stay.”
 
“Off the Hook” Marketing Manager Marianne Silloriquez expressed how much they admired their leader’s dedication to keeping the business afloat with its employees. “Our leaders were always finding solutions and innovative ways to keep the business improving. We are also open to and quick to adapt with modern ways to manage our business in terms of technology, marketing, and operations,” she says.
 
Marianne also noted how their leaders did not only look into ways to improve the business but also its employees, both as individuals and professionals. One way of doing this is to have them attend different personal and professional development seminars.
 

LAGING HANDA: Forward-thinking Mindset 

Given the challenges they faced during the pandemic, it would have been easier if they stopped their operations instead. However, instead of giving up, Rolly with his employees took this as a learning curve to better their business and service.
 
“The pandemic taught us to be always one step ahead,” Rolly relates. “Practice forward-thinking and be always in the know of the future of your industry. This way we will not be caught unprepared with any circumstance that will cause our business to crumble.”
 
Rolly understands that taking risks, given the challenges posed by the pandemic, could be worrisome for many aspiring businessmen especially those who wish to venture outside their homeland like him.
 
But he believes that having a “clear vision” and taking “calculated risk” could help jumpstart their dreams despite the challenges ahead. “Start small, dream big,” Rolly advises aspiring businessmen. “Be sure you have the right knowledge and skills regarding the business or industry you are getting into. Stay committed with a strong belief in your dream project. Read, study, and find mentors who can help or support your vision.”
 
Curious about what makes people come back for more of the “Off the Hook” experience? Visit their different branches around UAE, with the store details below:
 
OFF THE HOOK MAIN
ADDRESS: Airport Road Corner, Al Falah Street
Between ADNOC Petrol Station and Global Connect Travel
PHONE: +971 2 644 9494
 
OFF THE HOOK DEIRA DUBAI
ADDRESS: G5 Centurion Star Building, Port Saeed, Deira Dubai
PHONE: +971 4 295 4008
 
OFF THE HOOK TOURIST CLUB AREA
ADDRESS: Between Ramada Downtown and KM Hypermarket, Tourist Club Area
PHONE: +971 2 679 2288
 
OFF THE HOOK AL AIN
ADDRESS: Al Murabaa Area, beside Lulu Center & Across Al Murabaa Police Station
PHONE: +971 3 766 1455
 
OFF THE HOOK YAS MALL
ADDRESS: Level 2, near the Ferrari World entrance.
PHONE: +971 2 558 6677
 
OFF THE HOOK GALLERIA MALL
ADDRESS: The Galleria Al Maryah Island, Central Kitchen Level 3, Abu Dhabi. 
PHONE: +971 54 998 1888
 
OFF THE HOOK DEERFIELDS MALL
ADDRESS: Garden Level, Deerfields Mall, Abu Dhabi. 
PHONE: +971 2 553 2222
 
OFF THE HOOK DOWNTOWN KITCHENS DUBAI
ADDRESS: Downtown Kitchens, Fountain Views, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Blvd - Downtown Dubai
PHONE: +971 4 222 0188
 
OFF THE HOOK IBN BATUTA MALL DUBAI
ADDRESS: Persia Court
PHONE: ‎+971 4 880 0500
 
OFF THE HOOK SHARJAH
ADDRESS: Shop #12, Reem Ave. Building, Nahda Area, Sharjah
PHONE: ‎+971 4 800 684
 
Do not miss the “1MX Dubai 2021” on December 3, at the Trade Centre Arena in Dubai World Trade Centre. Tickets are sold at AED 299 for Platinum, AED 249 for Diamond, AED 199 for Gold, AED 149 for Silver, and AED 99 for Bronze. You may purchase your tickets on Virgin Megastore (https://tickets.virginmegastore.me/ae/music/13637/1mx-concert?ref=list), Platinumlist (https://dubai.platinumlist.net/event-tickets/82292/1-mx-dubai-bamboo-moira), and on 800Tickets (https://www.800tickets.com/). “Off the Hook” is the official marketing partner of “1MX Dubai 2021.”