Sparking progress: How women leaders are moving Mang Inasal forward

Across its national network of stores, communities, and digital platforms, Mang Inasal is being shaped and strengthened by the leadership of remarkable women. Their impact is visible in every corner of the business, from operational innovations and franchise growth to digital transformation and people development.

In an industry that demands agility, resilience, and authenticity, the women of Mang Inasal are redefining what effective leadership looks like. Their strategies, values, and vision continue to drive meaningful progress—proving that when women lead with purpose, success follows.

Developing people with purpose

In the realm of Learning and Development, Anneka Alba, Mang Inasal’s Learning and Development Officer, leads with vision and tenacity. Her team’s shift to digitized training—anchored by the People Training System—has enabled store teams to access training materials faster and more efficiently, while instilling a culture of continuous learning across a geographically dispersed workforce.

A Spartan racer for the past several years and having just won First Place in the Spartan Women’s Obstacle Race in Bridgetowne Obstacle Park, Pasig City last March 29, 2025, Alba brings that same endurance to building capability within the organization. The recent partnership between Mang Inasal and Spartan Philippines feels especially meaningful to her, bridging a personal passion with a professional mission. By aligning personal growth with business goals, her programs cultivate both skills and confidence across all levels. She has championed the transition from conventional face-to-face training to scalable digital solutions, overcoming resistance during the early adoption phase and helping store leaders embrace technology as a tool for performance and empowerment.

“I’ve learned that leadership isn’t just about guiding others. It’s about being resilient,” Alba emphasized. “Obstacle course racing is 60% physical and 40% mental, and that’s how I approach work. You train your body and mind, so you can overcome adversity, adapt to change, and keep driving your team forward.”

Innovation that starts on the ground

Operational improvements at Mang Inasal are rooted in real-world insights, thanks to leaders like Marichelle Gendrano, Mang Inasal’s Restaurant System Head. Her team’s introduction of technologies like enzyme-based cleaning systems, UV exhaust filters, and the Thawing Cabinet—an operational innovation addressing the challenge of managing raw materials efficiently while maintaining food safety—has streamlined store performance while reinforcing safety and sustainability.

Under Gendrano’s leadership, Mang Inasal has also prioritized eco-conscious practices, including compact sewage treatment plants and simplified cleaning solution systems. These initiatives reflect a broader commitment to operational excellence grounded in both frontline collaboration and environmental responsibility.

“It all starts with deep understanding of our store operations, our team’s workflow, and most importantly, our customers’ needs,” Gendrano explained. “We believe that when we empower our people with the right tools and processes, we create a restaurant experience that is fast, seamless, and truly enjoyable.”

Empowering growth at the franchise level

Franchise operations thrive on trust, and Mang Inasal’s Regional Business Unit Head for North Luzon, Kelly Abedes, understands how to build it. With a personalized approach to coaching, she ensures franchisees feel equipped, supported, and accountable. Her mentorship during the launch of Mang Inasal’s first Drive-Thru store in Sta. Maria exemplifies her belief in collaborative leadership, having worked closely with a long-time franchisee to prepare for and sustain this new format.

Abedes tailors her support through regular check-ins, business reviews, and casual yet intentional engagement like “Over Coffee with KOA,” allowing her to address operational gaps, reinforce FSC (Food, Service, Cleanliness) standards, and coach franchisees through real-time challenges. Her efforts are especially vital in driving buy-in for quality and people investment, ensuring every franchise partner understands that long-term success depends on strong teams and shared values.

“For franchisees to truly understand and fully ‘buy in’ to our vision, it’s essential to help them see things from the franchisor’s perspective,” Abedes shared. “Building and maintaining strong, mutually beneficial relationships is key to success. Regular check-ins, support and coaching, open conversations…these are how we build strong partnerships that last.”

Building communities through digital connection

In the digital space, Rose Jabeguero-Rodillo, Mang Inasal’s Digital and Public Relations Director, is transforming how Mang Inasal engages its audience. Through initiatives like Mang Inasal Nation, a Facebook Group that serves as a hub for Mang Inasal’s most loyal fans, and the Mang Inasal Creators’ Circle, the country’s first-ever brand-managed influencer network, she has helped the brand foster two-way conversations that drive loyalty and advocacy.

These communities have become powerful engines of engagement, enabling real-time feedback, user-generated content, and hyper-localized storytelling. Under Rodillo’s direction, Mang Inasal’s digital campaigns have blended digital creativity with cultural relevance, turning social buzz into brand love, and content into community.

“Digital transformation has allowed Mang Inasal to build a real-time, two-way relationship with our customers,” said Rodillo. “Now, we’re no longer just talking to them—we’re talking with them. Digital has helped us turn our fans into active brand advocates, listening to their feedback, celebrating their stories, and co-creating content with them.”

Leadership that lasts

The women leading Mang Inasal are driving more than performance—they’re shaping a future where inclusivity, innovation, and integrity define how success is built. Their leadership reflects the very essence of the brand: proudly Filipino, people-centered, and always evolving.

Aligned with the company’s “Tatak Mang Inasal” culture and Jollibee Foods Corporation’s “Choose Joy” positioning, these women embody values that go beyond business metrics. They lead with puso and malasakit, creating spaces where excellence is nurtured, people are empowered, and every initiative is guided by purpose.

By investing in systems that work and people who care, Mang Inasal continues to set the bar, not only in grilled favorites, but in what modern leadership can look like. In the capable hands of women who lead with both heart and grit, the fire behind the brand only burns brighter.