Wolfgang’s Steakhouse, a US restaurant brand brought to the Philippines by Excello Restaurant Management Group of Marvin Agustin and his two partners, reopened at the Newport Mall inside the Resorts World Manila complex, after a two-week hiatus following an unfortunate incident on June 2.
The famous steakhouse is back in business after the RWM attack by a lone gun man that resulted in the loss of 37 lives, including employees and guests.
Excello Restaurant Management Group head Raymund Magdaluyo says Wolfgang Steakhouse is keeping its original location at the second floor of Newport Mall, while adding two outlets at The Podium in Ortigas and Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.
Magdaluyo says while the attack may have hurt sales initially, the RWM location is expected to recover in the coming months.
“We’re hurting business-wise but I think Resorts World could come up with something, because it is the strongest casino, complex-wise [compared to other casinos in the Philippines],” he says.
“Do we feel that the Resorts World is responsible for the gross-negligence? Definitely no, but there are some things that could have been done better,” says Magdaluyo.
He says what happened with Resorts World was a tragedy for the entire industry but everybody had something to learn from the incident.
Magdaluyo says the New York-theme restaurant remains loyal to RWM which has been its partner since 2009. RWM would “come out stronger,” he says.
“We have not even talked to other casinos. We are not planning on putting up any concept other than in Resorts World. [That is] 100 percent sure,” he says.
Excello managing partner Leina Bolinas says the plan is to be “more operationally efficient” and renovate the restaurant that has its own dry-aging room and wine cellar.
The company expects sales to improve by 50 percent in the next four to six months, following the drop related to the June 2 incident.
“After that, everything will not just normalize. It [Wolfgang’s] will also become stronger,” says Magdulo.
Bolinas says to attract more diners, Wolfgang will host some events in the coming months. The restaurant is open from 12 noon to 10 p.m. With Aletha Jasmine Dela Cruz, Katrina Delos Santos and Jamie Andrea Turalba