Jollibee to build more stores in US, Canada

MANILA – Jollibee Foods Corp said Monday it planned to expand its stores in the US to 150 in 5 years and add 100 branches in Canada.

The country's largest fast food operator confirmed the expansions plans in a disclosure to the stock exchange. It was first reported on Bloomberg markets.

Jollibee aims to be among the world's top 5 quick service restaurant operators, according to the disclosure.

Jollibee had said it opened 192 stores in the first half of 2018, spending P8.3 billion in capital expenditures and acquisitions.

It also raised its stake in US burger chain Smashburger to 85 percent and announced plans for a Mexican food venture.

In October Filipinos lined up for Jollibee's first store in London, some of whom came from other parts of Europe. The company opened its first store in the continent, located in Milan, Italy, last May.

Jollibee marked its 1,000th store milestone in the Philippines in July 2017. It also has stores in Vietnam, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Brunei.

Last May, Jollibee said it would invest 45 million Singapore dollars (P1.74 billion) in a private equity fund that is set to acquire the master franchise of Tim Ho Wan in the Asia Pacific.

The Filipino company is also eyeing British sandwich chain Pret A Manger, Reuters reported in late 2017.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

LOOK: PM Justin Trudeau visits first Jollibee in Canada

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau got a taste of what's it like to "bee" happy when he paid a visit to the newly-opened branch of Filipino fastfood restaurant, Jollibee, in Canada.

In a photo released by the Philippine Embassy in Canada through its Facebook page, it shows a beaming Trudeau, flanked by Jollibee staff, behind the counter of the fastfood's outlet in Ellice, Winnipeg.

Trudeau spent the day in Winnipeg as part of a cross-country tour, the embassy said.

Jollibee opened its first store in Canada last December 2016.

The Philippines' largest fast food operator is opening 150 overseas stores overseas, bringing local favorites to Filipino communities.

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LOOK: Long line of customers warms winter opening of Jollibee in Canada

Filipinos braved the snow and sub-zero temperatures to get a taste of Jollibee's famous Chickenjoy and sweet Jolly Spaghetti, as the fast food chain's first store opened in Canada.

A photo posted by Jollibee Canada on Facebook shows a long line of customers clad in winter clothing just outside the store.

The caption read: "WOW! Check out the line for the #1stJollibeeInCanada! These guys are all geared up and ready to go! Stick around for exciting updates on the warmest, jolliest reunion in town!"

Earlier on Thursday, the company tweeted: "No freezing weather can stop our best friend Jollibee from bringing the JOY to Winnipeg, Canada."

No freezing weather can stop our bestfriend Jollibee from bringing the JOY to Winnipeg, Canada! #1stJollibeeinCanada pic.twitter.com/i0HZuRmnxi

 — Jollibee (@Jollibee) December 16, 2016

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Freezing opening for first Jollibee in Canada

No freezing weather can stop our bestfriend Jollibee from bringing the JOY to Winnipeg, Canada! #1stJollibeeinCanada pic.twitter.com/i0HZuRmnxi

 — Jollibee (@Jollibee) December 16, 2016

 MANILA - Filipinos braved sub-zero temperatures for a taste of home as Jollibee Foods Corp. opened its first store in Canada, the company said Friday.

The Philippines' largest fast food operator is opening 150 overseas stores overseas from this year to 2017, bringing local favorites such as Chickenjoy and Jolly Spaghetti to Filipino communities.

Customers at the Winnipeg branch, wrapped up in winter coats lined up as early as 7 a.m., waiting for their turn to order.

"No freezing weather can stop our best friend Jollibee from bringing the JOY to Winnipeg, Canada," the company said in its official Twitter account.


The company mascot, Jollibee, wearing a light blue scarf, welcomed customers to the restaurant.

Jollibee, founded by tycoon Tony Tan Caktiong, boasts of being one of the few brands to have beaten American burger giant Mc Donald's.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Jollibee going to Indonesia, Canada

MANILA, Philippines - Fastfood giant Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) is expanding into new territories including Indonesia next year and Canada in 2015, catering to both the local population and Filipinos overseas.

Tapping new markets is in line with the company’s goal of becoming Asia’s largest homegrown quick service restaurant chain, an executive said.

“We just opened in Houston, Texas. Our next target is to open in Chicago and near future Toronto, Canada. It will be our first in Canada,” JFC chief operating officer Ernesto Tanmantiong said in an interview.

Closer to home, Indonesia is in the radar for an expansion program early next year, Tanmantiong said.

Late last month, Philippines’ largest fastfood chain posted an opening day record in its Houston branch. More than 5,000 Filipinos flocked to the first JFC branch in southern US, more than a thousand compared with the opening day record of Jollibee Hawaii.

Tanmantiong hopes the company, famous for its signature Chickenjoy and Yum Burger, will continue breaking records in its overseas store openings.

“We’re focusing where the Filipinos are. They are craving for Jollibee (because) it’s a taste of home,” Tanmantiong said, adding that Jollibee Chicago will open next year while Jollibee Toronto will start operations in 2015.

In Asia, the fastfood giant is targeting to create a presence in Indonesia early next year.

“Indonesia hopefully (we can open) next year. What we plan to do in Indonesia is to find a joint venture partner,” Tanmantiong said.

“For Indonesia, it’s a fried chicken country so we believe the chicken joy will fit very well in Indonesia,” Tanmantiong said. JFC is developing spicy sauce sambal to cater to the Indonesia taste.

JFC is looking at suppliers for food production in Indonesia but the company is also ready to invest in a commissary in the emerging market, Tanmantiong said.

The expansion program signals the continuation of JFC’s corporate strategy of going after Filipinos overseas while also looking at the locals in host countries.

Tanmantiong will become the fastfood chain’s CEO effective July 2014 while current CEO Tony Tan Caktiong will remain as the chairman of the board.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com