J.CO Donuts & Coffee is a cafe restaurant chain originating from Indonesia that specializes in donuts, coffee and frozen yogurt. The company is owned and managed by Johnny Andrean Group. J.CO: The caviar of donuts Would you spend 30 minutes or even two hours to be able to buy a piece of donut or even a dozen donuts, each with the starting price of about 95 US cents (P42)?

The answer, one will blurt out without thinking is—No.

Queuing is exactly what people are doing to buy and to munch the latest craze in town, J.Co donuts. The Indon phenomenon of long lines and crowds was brought in 2012 to the Philippines when the Indonesian donut brand J.Co opened its first local outlet March 15 at the ground floor SM Megamall in Ortigas, Mandaluyong. Since then, J.Co has opened a dozen branches in the Philippines, part of about a 150-store (and growing) chain that began as an experimental coffee shop eight years ago in Jakarta, Indonesia. J.Co is actually the name of the founder, Johnny Andrean, 52, a gutsy but immensely likeable and warm Indonesian entrepreneur. He started in business as a young man 35 years ago, building first a chain of hair salons, Andrean, with some 130 shops today, the biggest in Indonesia.

The caviar of donuts, J.Co commands the highest prices compared with its older and new rivals. “It’s everything you ever wanted in donuts,” says the company’s website. With unique flavors and delicacy, it slowly melts in your mouth. That unbridled selfie is, of course, advertising blurb. But crowds in many J.Co outlets in the region are a veritable testimonial that the claim is not a lie.

The Philippine franchise for the Indonesia donut and coffee chain is owned by a company called Contemporain Foods Inc., which has among its major investors Carlos Chan of Liwayway-Oishi fame and Edgar “Injap” Sia, the founder of Mang Inasal, chicken chain bought by Jollibee Foods Corp. The two have also been franchised by giant hotel group Jin Jiang Inn Co. Ltd. of China to build up to 30 budget hotels in the Philippines. Time for a sweet party! Indulge and satisfy your sweet tooth as JCO Donuts has an exciting treat for us on its 7th anniversary! This March 14-15, 2019, JCO will be offering 2 Dozen Donuts for only P500!

* Take home 1 box of pre-assorted dozen and 1 box of dozen donuts of your choice for only P500.

* 1 box of pre-assorted dozen includes: 1 pc. Blueberry More, 1 pc. White Desert, 1 pc. Jacky Chunk, 1 pc. Mr. Green T, 1 pc. Copa Banana, 1 pc. Avocado di Caprio, 1 pc. Choco Caviar Chocolate, 1 pc. Katy Berry, 1 pc. Coco Loco, 1 pc. Meisisipi, 1 pc. Oreology and 1 pc. Alcapone. Splitting of the pre-assorted dozen box is not allowed.

* This promo is valid on March 14 & 15, 2019, from 10am to 6pm only in all JCO stores nationwide, not applicable in booths/kiosks.

* Each customer can only avail of this promo once, with a maximum of 2 dozens per transaction.

* This promo is valid for dine-in and take-out transaction only. Any advanced orders, bulk orders and online delivery orders on the day of the promo will not be allowed.

* The promo cannot be exchanged for other items or discounts and cannot be used in conjunction with other promos.

* In the purchase of goods and services which are on promotional discount, the senior citizen can avail of the promotional discount or the discount provided under the Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2010, whichever is higher. For dine-in, I always recommend eating the donut or donut sandwich of your choice with their signature coffee drinks. It’s best to experience J.Co with a group of friends so that you can order an assorted dozen. That way, you get to try a variety of flavors.

Recommendations

★ Al Capone. J.Co’s signature product, where white Belgian chocolate meets crunchy Californian almonds! Recipe from Rome, almonds from California, white chocolate from Belgium, whereas the donut is originally created in Indonesia. This is J.Co’s signature donut and our favorite, too! We love the soft, chewy and sticky donut texture and the balance of sweetness with the crunchiness of the almonds.

★ J.Club Cheezy Rich (P45/each). Donut Sandwich with Cheese on top. My second favorite is the ensaymada-looking donut (which is actually a cheese-top donut sandwich).

★Funilla Glaze. Have more fun with every mouthful of creamy vanilla filling inside our special honey-glazed, soft-bite donut. Also, try the honey-glazed donut for simplicity of taste. The creamy vanilla filling is a bit too sweet, though.

★For an Asian flavor, try the donuts or coffee with Avocado. A nice innovation! Tip: It is best to eat your donut in the resto. The flavors just aren’t the same anymore when you take it out.

The thoughtful quotations on the napkins were also a nice touch for that overall branded experience.

The 12 J.Co outlets in the Philippines are in: SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, Greenbelt 3, TriNoma, SM Fairview, Alabang Town Center, Eastwood, The District Cavite (Imus, Cavite), Centrio Mall (Cagayan de Oro City), SM North EDSA, SM Pampanga, and Glorietta 2. “We’re looking at 10-12 more for next year,” says Arlene Ngo, J.Co’s marketing manager.

The next six stores will be in Araneta Center, UP Town Center (new Ayala Mall at Katipunan Ave.), Greenhills Promenade (new Promenade building), SM Southmall, Veranza (KCC mall in General Santos City), and Lucky Chinatown.

Noting the crowds in his outlets and the huge demand for high-quality donuts, Carlos Chan has promised to have 100 stores in the Philippines eventually. He is no stranger to the food business.