In a phone interview, co-owner Alan Rico shared that because there were instances when their shop had fewer sales and customers, they had to cook up a gimmick that would draw customers in.
Eventually, he and his four friends who also co-own the café, came up with the idea of incorporating an out-of-the-ordinary twist on it after they watched a video of the usual game online.
“It was when we had a meeting. And then ‘yung member naming isa, si Recca, ang naisip niya, baka [pwedeng] ang ipa-bring [me] namin [ay] mga random item. Tapos free talaga, wala silang babayaran. ” said Rico.
Grateful to their customers’ cooperation which lightened up the fun and unusual activity in the cafe, the shop now also considers their customers’ ideas on what they would bring next.
“Sa GC namin, we usually talk… ano ‘yung ipapa-bring me. We also take suggestions from [the] comment section, sa TikTok namin. We take suggestions from the viewers po. [Kung] ano po ‘yung possible na funny, or kung ano ‘yung maguguustuhan ng tao. Like, mga malalaki na bagay, like washing machine, speaker na malaki, flat screen na TV,” he explained.
Because of this, a constant influx of new patrons is now eager to participate in the the game that started in January.
Each week, the "Bring Me" game showcases the most creative things, and they would have the most unusual thing ever brought in their cafe.
“I think pinaka-unusual, ano, ‘yung… ‘yung pinaka malaki. ‘Yung washing machine. Kasi ‘yung iba, flat screen TV, mayroon ding buhay na chicken, pero ‘yung nadala niya, baby na chicken (sisiw).”
But if millions of viewers found their content quirky enough, the brains and wits behind the bright idea cannot contain their laughter as well.
“Nakakatuwa kasi we did not expect it to go viral, kasi parang simple game lang po siya. Tapos nakikita na rin namin sa TikTok na may gumagaya na rin. Pero nag-a-ask po sila sa amin, ‘can we use your idea po?’ Okay naman sa amin as long as kini-credit lang ‘yung idea," he said.
They also recalled the most entertaining game entry they encountered when a customer, in full dedication, walked from home to café, carrying a flat screen television—talk about who this diva is? Even a netizen affirmed to do “anything for Salisbury steak”.
“‘Yung customer, nag-vlog din siya eh. Nag-take siya ng video na naglakad siya galing sa bahay niya, tapos sobrang layo [at] sobrang bigat noong flat screen TV. ‘Yung store namin puno [that time], tapos may nag[tanong], ‘bakit may dalang flat screen TV?’ Nakita namin ‘yung reaction ng customers, nakakatawa siya. Kaya siguro nag-viral kasi si kuya rin na nagdala, super excited. [Tapos] ‘yung pagdala niya noong TV, parang envelope lang tingnan.” shared Rico.
Despite having to bring the most bizarre items to win, the café staff did not need to bide time as customers usually bring in the necessary items in around less than an hour. So, the waiting game is never an option as the food-and-drink combo awaits for the persevering winner!
“Usually mga less than an hour po, mga 40 minutes or even 30 minutes. ‘Yung (live) chicken lang ‘yung pinaka nagtagal kasi parang mahirap," he stressed.
HARDSHIPS AND GRATITUDE
Established in 2023, the dining spot offers food options ranging from rice bowls and pasta, to thirst quenchers like iced drinks, coffee, and milkshakes. The blend of creativity, community, and consciousness makes JARRK’S more than just a place to grab coffee; it’s a phenomenon.
The co-owner has shared their hardships and gratitude as their cafe gained attention that opened opportunities for its growth.
“May mga content kami na ginagaya, kaso hindi nag-work. At ngayon, unexpected talaga. Hindi namin alam na nakakatawa talaga ‘yung mga bring me sa cafe, tapos unique din po ‘yung idea. Kaya, ano po, parang na-e-excite kami sa mga susunod na ipapa-bring me pa. Hindi dahil gusto namin ng maraming customers. I mean, basic na po ‘yan—’yan ‘yung pinaka-foundation naman na need namin. Pero, ‘yung ano talaga… na natatawa rin kami. Tapos, masaya kami na maraming natutuwa sa pa-bring me namin," he explained.
The café's viral marketing strategy demonstrates how a playful approach can create a memorable experience that keeps customers coming back for more. It forms a connection through shared laughter and creativity.
“Ayun po. Actually, naka-schedule po siya every after two days. Like, for example, nagpa-bring me kami ngayon and then wala, tomorrow wala. The next day po ‘yan, nagpapa-bring me kami. Naka-schedule na po lahat," he said.
With its cleverly designed marketing game and commitment to entertainment, it is a reminder that in today’s world, the experience often matters just as much as the product. And that in continuing the journey of this unique game of the cafe, there is more to it.
But there definitely is more to come, as the owners are now ‘cooking up’ a new gimmick customers will have to watch out for.
“Ah, ‘yung bring me po is, staple na po ‘yan. Pero meron pa kaming ibang games na naiisip. Like, magpapa-bingo kami sa store, sa cafe namin, mga around this March po. Pero hindi po kami nagpapaano [bayad] ng pera. ‘Yung, ano ‘yan, ‘yung prices is food lang din. Tapos magpapaano,’yan, sa peryahan, mga color games. Magpapaganoon pa kaming gimmick sa store namin. Tapos mag-i-invite ng mga tao. Mga bingo games. ‘Yung sa March po is mga carnival games," he added.
