OFW Accountant Turns Savings into 9-Branch Seafood Empire

Rolly Brucales grew up in the Philippines waking at 4 AM to help his family sell produce at the local market. Those early mornings taught him the value of hard work and savings—lessons he carried with him when he later moved abroad.

Taking the Leap to Dubai

In 2011, Rolly left his accounting career in the Philippines to join his wife, Angie, who worked as a nurse in Dubai. He landed a position as an accountant at a medical company, determined to save a large slice of his salary. While learning the ropes of life overseas, Rolly mapped out his dream: owning a restaurant.

Launching “Off The Hook” in 2016

Five years into his OFW stint, Rolly teamed up with partners to open the first Off The Hook (OTH) Seafood Restaurant in Dubai. As managing director, he blended his accounting discipline with passion for Filipino hospitality.

• Quality and service quickly drew both Filipinos and locals.

• Menu highlights included grilled prawns, butter garlic lobster, and classic Filipino seafood dishes.

• Marketing focus: storytelling about his own journey and authentic Filipino flavors.

Growing to Nine Branches

From that single location in 2016, OTH expanded to nine branches across the UAE. Rolly credits his methodical budgeting, ongoing reinvestment of profits, and strong local partnerships for the rapid growth.

Giving Back to Kababayans

A core mission for Rolly is hiring fellow Filipinos:

“It’s one of our advocacies to provide jobs for our kababayan. We also teach them how to save and invest through our financial literacy program.”

He adds that Filipino workers bring strong service skills and excellent communication.

Life Beyond the Ledger: Family First

At home, Rolly is a hands‑on dad. Angie says:

“You can really see his unconditional love for the family.”

Their three children—Leonard, Claire, and Zachary—describe him as open‑minded and supportive. Leonard notes:

“Dad is very cool about everything. If you have problems, he helps and gives advice.”

Claire treasures Rolly’s nonjudgmental ear and “cute selfie messages,” while Zachary appreciates his dad’s encouragement:

“I’m proud of your accomplishments, and I love how you always make time for us.”

Looking Ahead: Sustainability and Retirement

With nine thriving branches, Rolly is already planning for the future. He’s setting aside investments to secure his family’s retirement and exploring ways to make OTH an even stronger platform for Filipino OFWs in the UAE.