What once was a mom-and-pop operation in BF Homes, Parañaque is now a casual restaurant chain with 30 branches, proving that one does not have to be the best in the game—you just have to be loved.

In today’s #FnBTakeaways in collaboration with Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, we put the spotlight on Mama Lou's Italian Kitchen co-foundar Crystal Sison on recreating and giving the Italian experience to Filipinos.

Stepping into Mama Lou’s is like coming home—warm, relaxed, and welcoming—yet the branded condiments hint at a thriving operation. From humble beginnings in 2010, founders David and Crystal Sison have grown their family-run Italian restaurant to 30 branches, all inspired by Crystal’s mom and the comforting Italian flavors their family loves.

Experience a taste of Italy right here at Mama Lou’s Italian Kitchen! 🍝 On today’s World of Flavors, we’re at Venice Grand Canal in McKinley Hill, serving up Italian favorites that always feel like home. Take your taste buds on a journey through Megaworld Lifestyle Malls—where every dish shares a story and a flavor all its own.

These powerhouse moms transformed their kitchens into cornerstones of Manila’s dining culture—with heart, heritage, and hustle.

Navigating PWD and senior citizen discounts is a challenge for many restaurants, especially with the rising cases of fake PWD cards that cut into already thin profit margins. While these discounts are essential for supporting those in need, abuse of the system places an unfair burden on businesses—particularly small to medium enterprises. Industry leaders like David Sison of Mama Lou’s and RestoPH are advocating for stricter enforcement, clearer guidelines, and government support to ensure the system remains fair and sustainable for all.

Mama Lou’s Italian Kitchen began as a family café with loose systems, until David Sison used his master’s studies to professionalize the business. By standardizing recipes, creating HR manuals, and streamlining operations, he and partner Crystal transformed their cozy spot into a thriving, scalable restaurant group. Today, Mama Lou’s is celebrated for both its comforting Italian fare and the disciplined structure that powers its 30 branches nationwide.

Mama Lou’s Italian Kitchen founder David Sison was thrilled to share that renowned food vlogger Robert de Armas finally reviewed their signature Dolci Pistachio Cake.

De Armas, known for his meticulous cake reviews, has been gaining traction online, with his latest video reaching 1.4 million views on Facebook. Sison, a fan of the food critic’s content, eagerly anticipated his take on Mama Lou’s beloved dessert.

Mama Lou’s founder, David Sison, shared a powerful reminder: “Focus on your own path and trust your instincts.” His words inspire perseverance and self-belief, resonating beyond business into all aspects of life.

How do you turn a small, homey restaurant into a food empire with 22+ branches? Find out as I chat with David Sison, Co-Founder & CEO of Mama Lou’s Italian Kitchen and President of the Restaurant Owners of the Philippines! We’ll talk about his recipe for success, the secret sauce behind scaling a restaurant, and what it really takes to thrive in the food business.

David Sison, co-founder of Mama Lou's, shares key lessons for succeeding in the Philippine restaurant industry, including learning from failure, identifying market gaps, professionalizing operations, prioritizing people, and strategic planning—essential for thriving in a competitive market.

Mama Lou’s Italian Kitchen founder David Sison has announced progress in his campaign against fraudulent PWD (Persons with Disabilities) IDs in restaurants.

Celebrate love with Mama Lou’s limited-edition Rubino Delicio—a luscious ruby chocolate mousse cake with Raspberry Lychee Crémeux and a crisp Raspberry Rose Tart Shell. A perfect gift to make this Valentine’s unforgettable!

RestoPH urges the government to crack down on fake PWD cards, which are straining struggling restaurants. Following the DOJ’s ruling that discounts cannot be denied even if IDs are unverifiable, the group calls for stricter enforcement to protect businesses while ensuring genuine PWDs receive their benefits.

Resto PH warns that the rampant use of fake PWD IDs is straining the restaurant industry, leading to revenue losses and undermining genuine PWD benefits. Business owners urge urgent reforms to curb this abuse.

For every discounted bill as a result of fake PWD IDs, restaurateurs shoulder losses from the 20 percent discount while the government sacrifices revenues from the missed 12 percent value added tax, according to visionary entrepreneurs David and Crystal Sison.

Fatima’s Filipino Halal opens in Greenhills, bringing inclusive dining with authentic Halal-certified Filipino cuisine, thanks to restaurateur David Sison.

On October 10, 2024, Mama Lou’s Premio Ristorante in Alabang hosted a one-night-only collaboration with One World Deli and Don Revy. Featuring top chefs, the event celebrated global flavors with premium ingredients and fine wines. Launched in 2023, Premio Ristorante elevates the Mama Lou’s experience with authentic Neapolitan pizza and refined dining.

Mama Lou's Italian Kitchen is offering a bowl of its zuppa di maccheroni or "sopas" at several branches in and outside Metro Manila, including Alfresco Silang Cavite, Ayala Malls Solenad, BF Homes Las Piñas, Madison Galeries, Evia Lifestyle Center, Ayala Malls North Exchange, Venice Grand Canal Mall, SM City Sto. Tomas, Alabang West Parade - Premio, and SM City Clark.

MANILA, Philippines – Mama Lou’s Italian Kitchen is taking us on a noble farm-to-fork journey as the homegrown restaurant begins its cherry tomato rescue initiative supporting local farmers in Benguet.

Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI)—the bottling arm of Coca-Cola in the country—sealed its partnership with Mama Lou’s Group Holdings Inc., the brand behind the Philippines’ beloved Italian restaurant chain, Mama Lou’s, to bring refreshing and remarkable dining experiences to more Filipinos.

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Coca-Cola Beverages Philippines, Inc. (CCBPI) — the bottling arm of Coca-Cola in the country — seals its partnership with Mama Lou’s Group Holdings Inc., the brand behind the Philippines’ beloved Italian restaurant chain, Mama Lou’s, to bring refreshing and remarkable dining experiences to more Filipinos.

Mama Lou's embarked on a transformative journey by embracing digitalization with Lark's communication and productivity tools. The result? Streamlined processes, improved staff coordination, and elevated customer satisfaction. Modernizing their approach, Mama Lou's reached new heights, delivering an exceptional dining experience that exceeded expectations.

David Sison turned his MBA thesis into Mama Lou’s, a successful Filipino-owned Italian restaurant chain. With Crystal Sison, he grew it from a family business to 25 branches nationwide. Their journey highlights the power of vision, grit, and passion in building a lasting brand.

David and Crystal Sison, owners of Mama Lou's, are honored as Restaurateurs of the Year at the ICCP Leadership Awards, celebrated for their seamless blend of tradition, innovation, and dedication to quality in their popular restaurant chain.

From a humble Italian restaurant to a multi-million brand with branches across Metro Manila, David Sison reveals how he grew Mama Lou’s into what it is today.

Mama Lou’s pivoted towards and emphasised their online presence: from improving their website, to launching their hotline, and further integrating social media platforms into their marketing and operations efforts.

From BF Homes to prime locations, Mama Lou’s thrives on family leadership and key partnerships. With 150+ employees and industry awards, they continue to honor Mama Lou’s legacy through exceptional dining.

Richard has given a free hand to his daughter Crystal and her longtime boyfriend David Sison who now serves as company president. David got involved since Mama Lou’s opened in 2010. Both Crystal and David have focused on introducing standardization of recipes and other documentation requirements.