Faster Food at Philippine Minimarts Tests McDonald’s

At lunchtime in Manila, Isha Vida avoids fast-food restaurants and joins thousands of other workers and students buying ready-made meals at minimarts across the Philippine capital.

The 29-year-old recruitment coordinator’s preference for the steaks, fried chicken and salads at convenience stores is typical of an increasing number of Filipinos, who say the outlets are cheaper and faster than McDonald’s Corp. or Jollibee Foods Corp. Annual revenue at Philippine Seven Corp., operator of 7-Eleven shops, has grown an average 22 percent in the past five years, while Jollibee’s Philippine sales rose 10 percent.