Jollibee to open more stores in US

MANILA, Philippines — Local fastfood giant Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) plans to expand its network in the US to 500 stores in five to seven years, its top executive said.

Speaking at the US-Philippines Business Dialogue, JFC president Ernesto Tanmantiong said the company is targeting to put up 500 Jollibee stores across the US in the next five to seven years.

Locally, the firm plans to open more Burger King and Panda Express outlets this year as part of the expansion of its multi-cuisine fastfood chain.

At present, the US has the most number of JFC brands and stores outside the Philippines.

Tanmantiong said the company has more than 500 stores in the US consisting of its flagship brand Jollibee, Chowking, Red Ribbon, Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Smashburger and Tortazo, which is a partnership with renowned chef Rick Bayless.

“We have been successful in the US because of the Filipino diaspora. We are grateful that we have a strong Filipino community in the US. They have been our brand ambassador for Jollibee through word of mouth and because of that, they are able to convince local mainstream markets to visit our stores and enjoy our products,” he said.

Tanmantiong said JFC also operates well-known US brand Dunkin Donuts in select regions in China and in the Philippines.

“We look forward to further growing in 2021 as we open around 15 new restaurants in the US and at least 15 new Burger King and Panda Express branches in the Philippines,” he said.

The firm’s expansion plans are in line with its aim to become part of the world’s top five restaurant companies in the world.

The company has over 5,800 stores across 16 brands in 33 countries.