Innovation

Kangkong King is a Manila-based kiosk that has served crispy flavored kangkong (water spinach) chips since 2019. As shared by Mr. Frank, the business started when they joined their first pop-up event at Fisher Mall, Quezon City, in June 2019. “The bazaar lasted for four days, and the performance was excellent,” he expressed. Eventually, Mr. Frank and his partners decided to open their first branch at Robinsons Place, Manila, after three months.

Mr. Frank positioned crispy kangkong (water spinach) as a novelty snack in various sizes, such as Tarsier (Regular), Chimpanzee (Medium), Orangutan (Large), and Ape (XL) and flavors at reasonable prices. Currently, Kangkong King offers Cheese, Sour Cream, Sweet Corn, Spicy, Salted Egg, BBQ, and their best-selling KKK (Original). “We wanted to make water spinach appetizing and tasty to attract kids and adults who are not into vegetables,” he added. The business ambitions to innovate and turn kangkong (water spinach) into a healthy and yummy global snack alternative.

In addition, the business aims to make people happier and healthier while supporting the local industries. Mr. Frank proudly reiterated, “Our products are made of 100% real leaves, coconut oil, egg-free, and no preservatives added, making them vegan-friendly and rich in vitamins A and C. We are also FDA, IDCP, and GMP approved”. He added, “All high-quality ingredients are sourced locally, which helps our local farmers generate income.”

“We are all about keeping it fresh through carefully sourced ingredients and controlled production. Handcrafted in the Philippines leaf by leaf, get that extra crispness and positivity in your life with the best-tasting spinach chips.” – Frank Gaw, Founder and CEO.

Inspiration

The business concept started when Mr. Frank and his family tried water spinach in one of the restaurants in Metro Manila. He mentioned that “water spinach has long been used as an appetizer, but I saw its potential as a snack by giving the product a twist." After receiving positive feedback during their first bazaar, Mr. Frank officially launched Kangkong King in the market. During my interview, he mentioned that introducing the product to the market was difficult because the concept was new, and people were unaware that crispy water spinach was healthy.

In addition, it was inspiring to hear that his motivation to pursue the business was to solve hunger and create an opportunity for the local farmers. “Before, it was tough to find tons of water spinach in the market due to small demand, but because of this new concept, we were able to create demand and opportunities for the farmers to produce more income,” Mr. Frank stated. Lastly, he enjoys a great sense of achievement by providing work for the local community. He emphasized that “because of this type of business, I was able to provide work for the Filipino community. It is really a fulfilling experience to provide support to others.”

Overall impact

Mr. Frank’s innovation has allowed the company to expand its kiosks around Metro Manila. To date, the business has five branches located at Robinsons Place, Robinsons Galeria, SM Fairview, Alabang Town Center, and One Ayala Terminal. Through this expansion, "Our business created more demand for kangkong, which allowed us to cultivate direct relationships with farmers and local suppliers," he emphasized.

Additionally, Kangkong King, a local business, has contributed to creating a more robust economy. It opened more jobs locally and provided financial support to its employees. “I am glad I can provide decent work to our fellow Filipinos. I always ensure that my salary to my employees is aligned with the current rates by the National Wages and Productivity Commission,” Mr. Frank added.

Lastly, Mr. Frank inspires the Filipino community to start their business. He shared that he attended interviews with local social networks where he got a chance to showcase how he does his business. For him, creating a long-term impact on the community by providing more job opportunities is important. He believes that “any local businesses are the backbone of our economy, creating jobs, driving innovation, and fostering a sense of community.”

Business benefit

Kangkong King’s innovation has successfully drawn many key partners. They opened franchising and distributorship to our local aspiring business owners. Aside from their kiosks in Metro Manila, their products can now be seen in 25 stores around Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. As Mr. Frank mentioned, “It motivates us to work harder because we see how our locally sourced water spinach is growing. Vegetables like water spinach that used to be overlooked are now being craved by many”.

Furthermore, the innovation positively influenced employee well-being and sustainability. Aside from the monetary benefits, Kangkong King ensures to care for its people by conducting engagement activities, such as corporate social responsibility and Christmas parties. Also, as shared by Mr. Frank, he allows the employees to bring home some of the excess water spinach for their families. “Bringing home water spinach is a big help for them to save money,” he added.

Social and environmental benefit

Aside from business benefits, Kangkong King has greatly impacted society and the environment.

Kangkong King promotes good health for children. Mr. Frank shared that many family members gave him positive feedback that their children are now eating water spinach. He guaranteed that Kangkong King's products are low in fat, calories, and are vegan-friendly, making them a healthier alternative to high-sodium chips.

In addition to adhering to their mission of offering a nutritious snack option and helping our local farmers, they have been donating water spinach stalks for the Manila Zoo's animals. "Imagine… we consume 2-3 tons of water spinach a month. We wanted to ensure that all leftovers are still utilizable... that is why we give them directly to our employees and the rest to animals in Manila Zoo," Mr. Frank shared.

Lastly, Kangkong King provides a source of income and opportunities for employees to enhance their skills. The company ensures that employee development is a priority so that employees stay current on industry best practices and learn new skills. As a result, employee engagement and overall productivity increased.

Interview

Frank Anthony Gaw, Founder and CEO