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Tag: Jollibee

  • Jollibee to sue Chinese copycat

    Jollibee to sue Chinese copycat

    Jollibee Foods has confirmed it is taking legal action against a copycat restaurant in China. A recent Facebook post which went viral featuring the Chinese restaurant – named JoyRulBee – drew much attention among internet users in the Philippines, after a Filipino couple travelling in Guangxi spotted the the familiar mascot and documented the knockoff.

    Pictures and a video showed that both the exterior and interior of the restaurant were close copies of the Jollibee brand, while the menu was also markedly similar.

    Jollibee’s response to the post indicated the firm was already aware of the existence of the copycat restaurant and has initiated legal proceedings to protect its trademark.

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  • Jollibee aims for international growth

    Jollibee aims for international growth

    It’s been called the “McDonald’s of the Philippines,” and the late Anthony Bourdain dubbed it “the wackiest, jolliest place on earth.” Jollibee, a fast food chain based in the Philippines, has become one of the world’s largest restaurant franchises, with more than 4,000 stores in 23 countries, including 37 in the United States. (For comparison, McDonald’s has more than 37,000 worldwide and 14,000 in the U.S.)

    Known for its fried chicken, sweet spaghetti and “Aloha burger,” Jollibee serves fast-food with a Filipino twist: The spaghetti, for instance, includes cheese and mini hot dogs, and the fried chicken is meant to be eaten with rice and gravy.

    While Jollibee first came to the U.S. in 1998, opening locations in areas with large Asian populations including California, Hawaii and Illinois, the company’s latest investments and openings, including one near Manhattan’s Times Square, are part of a new strategy that the company hopes will make it one of the “top five restaurant companies in the world.”

    Incorporated in 1978, the company started as a pair of ice cream parlors before adding hot meals to its menu when McDonald’s announced they were coming to the Philippines.

    “We told our friends back then that we wanted to compete with McDonald’s, and they told us not to confront the giant,” Ernesto Tanmantiong, Jollibee’s CEO and younger brother of founder Tony Tan Caktiong, said. “Instead of chickening out, we served Chickenjoy.”

    The company now owns 14 global brands. In February, it acquired stakes in Smashburger and fast-casual Mexican chain Tortas Frontera, both U.S.-based companies.

    Arthur Dong, professor of strategy and economics at Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business, said the acquisitions gives them “a bigger media footprint into the North American market, and a push into becoming one of the biggest companies in the world.”

    Dong added that Jollibee’s success in the North American market, as well as its other overseas locations, makes a huge impact on the Philippine economy.

    “Any success anywhere contributes to the company’s success overall and would make Jollibee at home more successful and endure a lot more things, in terms of their future expansion opportunities,” he said.

    Jollibee’s most recent opening in New York City was highly anticipated, with some customers lining up for 20 hours.

    Dong said that the New York opening is a wise move in line with what some economists call the “dense market theory,” which suggests that when a franchise opens a location in an urban area with populations that reside and work in high-rise buildings, it increases the chances of one’s success because of that population density.

    “It’s perfect because rather than putting a billboard up to advertise their brand, Times Square is like a billboards haven itself,” Dong said. “In cities, they go from zero to 60 very quickly because of the sheer amount of foot traffic. Because this new location is near Times Square, the result of that is they’re able to capture the attention of not only natives, but people who don’t even reside from New York City, and that gives exposure to the Jollibee menu and their concept.”

    Justin Callan from the New York City neighborhood of Coney Island said that, as a non-Filipino, he has always felt welcomed at Jollibee. He and his girlfriend, Faye, were the first customers in line for Jollibee’s Manhattan grand opening on Oct. 27. “All you have to do is open up the door and let the people smell it — that’s what got me,” he said.

    Jollibee executives hope to open 150 stores in the U.S. and 100 stores in Canada over the next five years.

    “This is our entry into the mainstream, not just Filipino, market — we are catering to a bigger spectrum, and want to keep strengthening our foothold both in the U.S. and globally,” Tanmantiong, the CEO, said.

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  • Jollibee buys out Smashburger with big deal

    Jollibee buys out Smashburger with big deal

    Jollibee has taken full ownership and control of US fast-food chain Smashburger after acquiring an 85 per cent stake in February. The Philippine company said it paid US$10 million to acquire the remaining 15 per cent of the company and that it has made management changes.

    Tom Ryan, Smashburger founder and CEO, will take on the additional title of chief product development advisor at Jollibee Foods Corporation globally, focusing on strengthening taste and quality aspects across key brands and enhancing their relevance across global markets.

    Jose “Pepot” Minana has assumed the role of Smashburger president, including daily operations, collaborating on strategy and brand direction, and lead the continuing integration of Smashburger into the Jollibee Foods portfolio.

    Smashburger has 351 stores and accounts for 7 per cent of Jollibee’s global sales which totalled $3.4 billion last year.

  • Jollibee opens first Malaysian outlet in Kota Kinabalu

    Jollibee opens first Malaysian outlet in Kota Kinabalu

    Jollibee Malaysia has opened its first outlet – in the beachside city of Kota Kinabalu. CEO Ernesto Tanmantiong said opening in Malaysia marked a new chapter for the group. “We invite Malaysians to come and see for themselves why people line up for hours.”

    Jollibee Foods head of international business, Dennis Flores, said Jollibee is beloved throughout Asia, because it appeals to diverse tastes and cultures.

    “This has propelled us to become the fastest-growing Asian restaurant company, and we are thankful for the overwhelming support. It drives us to do better for our customers, and to continue to serve delicious food with our signature warm service.”

    The Jollibee Malaysia opening follows the brand’s recent expansion into London and Manhattan as its rapidly expands its global store network to surpass 4300.

    After making its debut in the capital of Sabah, Jollibee Malaysia plans further outlets in major cities across the country.

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  • Jollibee Philippines Q3 profit rises

    Jollibee Philippines Q3 profit rises

    Philippine fast-food franchise Jollibee posted an increase in profit of nearly 20 per cent in its third quarter. Backed by strong sales, the firm has posted a 19.2 per cent rise in net income attributable to shareholders to PHP6.09 billion (US$114.5 million).

    According to Jollibee’s CFO Ysmael Baysa, the company’s global sales have seen strong growth this year, including in its home base in the Philippines, partly driven by concerted efforts to expand Jollibee’s store network.

    “We look forward to the recovery of Jollibee profit margins in the Philippines next year and the significant improvement in the profit performance of our new businesses in the next one to two years,” he said.

    Beyond its own franchise, Jollibee operates the Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon and Smashburger brands in various worldwide locations. It currently has 3003 stores worldwide, with more set to open in the immediate future in Malaysia and Guam.

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  • 18 hours queue for Jollibee London opening

    18 hours queue for Jollibee London opening

    Jollibee opened its first fast-food restaurant in London on Sunday, drawing queues of expat Filipinos who braved the autumn chill overnight to be among the first locally to savour Chicken Joy and burgers. According to mainstream news media, “thousands” of Filipinos visited the Jollibee London restaurant, located in Earl’s Court.

    Ernesto Tanmantiong, CEO of Jollibee Foods, said at a press briefing on the site that the crowds at the London store demonstrated the depth of customer loyalty to the brand which was helping the company reach its ambition of expanding all over the globe. He wants Jollibee to one day become the world’s largest fast-food operator.

    “Today, we are at number 11 or 12, depending on [our] stock price. To achieve that dream, we will require an aggressive expansion coming from strong organic growth and strategic acquisitions.”

    Jollibee plans to open 50 stores across Europe during the next five years, with Spain and Italy the priority markets after the UK, where it would target large cities.

    “We believe we can be successful in the UK because of two factors,” added Dennis Flores, head of international business in Europe, Middle East, Asia and Australia. “We know our flagship product is Chicken Joy and the UK is the largest fried chicken [market] in Europe.”

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  • Jollibee Sets Up Shop in Manhattan

    Jollibee Sets Up Shop in Manhattan

    Philippine fast-food restaurant chain Jollibee is opening its first Manhattan location next Saturday. The Jollibee Manhattan store will be the brand’s second store in New York State, and the 37th in the US. “We are excited to finally open our doors in the heart of bustling Manhattan, which is not just a centre of business and finance, but a major cultural and entertainment hub that receives millions of visitors from around the world each year,” said Jose Minana, Jollibee Foods Corporation’s (JFC) group president for North America.

    “The diversity of the food culture and the fast pace of living here make it perfect for our new Jollibee store location.”

    Maribeth dela Cruz, VP and GM at JFC North America expects the opening to draw long lines of customers.

    Jollibee Manhattan store located at 609 8th Ave., New York, NY 10018 opens Saturday, October 27. (Photo credit: Elton Lugay (Instagram/elton_lugay))

    To celebration the store, Jollibee will award free Chickenjoy for a year to the first 40 customers in line. Exclusive Jollibee Funko Pop! figures and other Jollibee collectibles will be up for grabs, too, to mark Jollibee’s 40th anniversary.

    Jollibee operates in 20 countries, with more than 4200 stores globally. The first North America store was opened in 1998 in California.

    JFC has an 85 per cent stake in US burger chain Smashburger, and has recently entered into an agreement with Mexican fast-casual restaurant chain Tortas Frontera for expansion.

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  • Jollibee Sets Up Shop in Manhattan, NY

    Jollibee Sets Up Shop in Manhattan, NY

    Fried chicken fans in New York City will have another option to crow about, as Philippines-based restaurant chain Jollibee will open its first location in Manhattan later this month. Of course, the menu at Jollibee doesn’t stop at its Chickenjoy, as it encompasses an eclectic range of dishes from Jolly Spaghetti topped with a sweet sauce along with pieces of ham and hot dog, to burgers, Spam sandwiches, and desserts like halo halo and Peach Mango Pie.

    For the unfamiliar, Jollibee is the largest fast food chain in the Phillipines, with more than 1,000 stores, and another 200 locations worldwide. Jollibee’s U.S. operation spans ten states and 36 locations, with the Manhattan outpost bringing that total to 37. Additionally, the chain recently cut the ribbon on two new storefronts in the Toronto area, which both saw lines around the block for their grand openings. Jollibee was even featured on Parts Unknown when Anthony Bourdain visited in Los Angeles with Roy Choi and later on his own in Manila when he referred to it as “the wackiest, jolliest place on earth.”

    “We are excited to finally open our doors in the heart of bustling Manhattan, which is not just a center of business and finance, but a major cultural and entertainment hub that receives millions of visitors from around the world each year,” Jose Miñana, Jollibee Foods Corporation’s Group President for North America, said in a statement. “The diversity of the food culture and the fast pace of living here make it perfect for our new Jollibee store location.”

    Jollibee also happens to be celebrating its 40th anniversary, which means there’s an added bonus for some lucky New Yorkers: The first 40 people in line at the opening will get free Chickenjoy for a year. Additionally, a Jollibee Funko Pop! figure and other collectibles will be available.

    New York City already has a Jollibee located in Woodside, Queens, but as most of the thinking goes in New York, you haven’t made it until you’ve made it in Manhattan.

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  • Jollibee expanding in Hong Kong

    Jollibee expanding in Hong Kong

    “It feels like you’re back home,” said Filipino Joanna Galabay, a long-time foreign domestic worker in Hong Kong, as she munched on a drumstick at a Jollibee’s branch on Connaught Road.

    Singaporean bags-and-shoes chain Charles & Keith opened its first branch in the upscale New Town Plaza in Sha Tin last month, and will open its second outlet – at Parker House in Central – in November. It has committed to opening another store in the city, and told it plans to “expand cautiously to 10 locations in the next five years.” It has branches in the Philippines and Indonesia so is well known to the city’s domestic helpers

    Potato Corner, which now has four outlets in Hong Kong, said a branch in Central is in the pipeline. The restaurant chain started in the Philippines but, as part of its international expansion, took off as well in Indonesia.

    “For Southeast Asian brands in particular, Hong Kong has a unique advantage for having a long-established Southeast Asian population,” said retail analyst Lawrence Wan of CBRE Hong Kong. “ … You can see their restaurants opening in prime areas. The lifestyle and trendy fast fashion brands from Southeast Asia are also gaining steam.”

    The number of Southeast Asian companies in Hong Kong rose 17 per cent between 2013 and 2017, with the city now having 586 such businesses, according to the government’s Census & Statistics Department. In addition to players like J. CO Donuts & Coffee of Indonesia, and Bread Talk and Irvins Salted Egg, both from Singapore, they include big multinationals, such as the Development Bank of Singapore and the United Overseas Bank, also from the Southeast Asian city state.

    Hundreds of thousands of maids fan out on their Sunday day off in this city of 7.4 million people. Filipino maids often meet their friends at Jollibee, for example, chatting, eating, snapping selfies and calling family back home. In April, visiting Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte created quite a stir when he sat down at the Hung Hom outlet of Jollibee and chatted with a Filipino maid. Indonesian helpers are also fans of Jollibee.

    The women have expanded the customer base of the brands by bringing home drumsticks, doughnuts and other treats with them when they return to their employers’ homes on Sunday nights. The Southeast Asian businesses have also simply grown by word of mouth.

    “We initially entered Hong Kong because of the large Filipino population in the market,” Jollibee’s media office said. “However, we are now seeing that our new stores have majority local customers, with more Hong Kong locals loving our Chickenjoy [chicken meals].”

    Potato Corner, which markets itself as the maker of the “world’s best flavoured fries”, said its Hong Kong stores achieved the “all-time record for highest single day sales” in the brand’s 25 years of operation. It didn’t give specifics.

    “Potato Corner is popular among Filipinos, and some of our most loyal regulars are Filipinos. Indonesians [are our loyal customers], too, as Potato Corner has a strong presence in Indonesia,” said Ryan Asis Maniago, managing director of UpFive Corporation Ltd., the master franchisee in Hong Kong.

    As Hong Kong’s population ages, its need for foreign domestic helpers will grow, with the number of helpers expected to jump to 600,000 over the next three decades, the government says. While their wages are modest – HK$4,520 (US$577) a month, plus living space in their employer’s home and food – their sheer number makes them a serious consumer base. They spend about a quarter of their wages in Hong Kong, according to a study by NGO Mission for Migrant Workers released in August. That would mean they are dropping about HK$5 billion (US$640 million) a year in the city.

    The number of Southeast Asian businesses is expected to grow under two free trade agreement between Hong Kong and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which represents the 10 countries of the region: Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Myanmar (also known as Burma), Cambodia, Laos and Brunei. The agreements go into effect next year.

    Consulate officials from the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand also noted that Hong Kong serves as a strategic gateway to China’s huge number of consumers, elevating its importance to businesses of the Asean member countries.

    However, businesses said in interviews that expansion is hampered by the city’s high rents. Also, some complained that it is difficult for them to set up bank accounts for their operations.

    “The cost of doing business in Hong Kong is more expensive compared with other countries, especially in rent,” Irvins Salted Egg said.

    The snack company said it is negotiating with a few landlords for some prime retail spaces in popular shopping malls.

    In 2017, Hong Kong’s Causeway Bay, home to one of Potato Corner’s branches, had the most expensive retail space in Asia, and second in the world behind New York.

    Property consultant Cushman & Wakefield said annual retail rentals in the trendy and popular shopping district on Hong Kong Island reached HK$21,255 (US$2,712) per square foot, just behind Upper 5th Avenue’s HK$23,400 (US$2,986) per square foot.

    While rents are high, the Thai Consulate applauded the city’s business-friendly tax system.

    “The simple tax system with no VAT and importing tax is also a selling point to Thai exporters,” the Thai Consulate-General said.

    There were 154 existing trademark registrations from Thailand in Hong Kong as of last year, a 77-per cent increase compared to 2016. Leading Thai brands in Hong Kong include Bangkok Bank, spa and spa products retailer Thann, and restaurant Blue Elephant.

    Thais have opened many small business in the city, including massage parlours and beauty and nail salons.

    The city’s attractiveness has grown to Southeast Asian businesses, some of which were quick to thank Filipino and Indonesian domestic helpers for getting them off to a solid start.

    Noemi Morgado, a Filipino maid working in Pok Fu Lam, is one such helpful ambassador. “Ever since I brought my employer’s family a bucket of Jollibee fried chicken on New Year’s, they have regularly asked me to bring some home after my day off,” said Morgado, holding three buckets of the chain’s fried chicken.

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  • Panda Express Is Opening Soon In Manila

    Panda Express Is Opening Soon In Manila

    US restaurant chain Panda Express is heading to the Philippines.

    Jollibee Food Corp says it will launch Panda Express Philippines, dubbed “the Chinese kitchen” in North America, after creating a 50-50 joint venture with the parent Panda Restaurant Group.

    The first five Panda Express Philippines outlets will open in Metro Manila, after which other regional opportunities will be evaluated for the business.

    “With proven track records in providing great tasting food at a great value, JFC and Panda join hands to introduce American Chinese food, a globally-influenced cuisine inspired by authentic Chinese culinary principles, to the Philippines,” JFC said in a statement filed with the stock exchange.

    “We look forward to tapping into JFC’s market expertise to grow the Panda Express brand into a household name in the Philippines and, more importantly, actioning our shared value of inspiring people to better their lives,” added Andrew Cherng, co-founder and co-CEO of Panda.

    Jollibee Foods chairman Tony Tan Caktiong described Panda Express as an offer “very much in line” with Jollibee’s current portfolio of brands.

    Panda Express has stores worldwide, including networks in Korea, Japan and Russia.

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  • Jollibee to bring Panda Express to the Philippines

    Jollibee to bring Panda Express to the Philippines

    Jollibee Food Corp on Thursday said it would bring Panda Express to the Philippines, the popular “Chinese kitchen” in the US.

    The initial phase of the 50/50 joint venture between JFC and Panda Restaurant Group Inc intends to develop 5 Panda Express outlets in Metro Manila, JFC told the stock exchange.

    “With proven track records in providing great tasting food at a great value, JFC and Panda join hands to introduce American Chinese food, a globally-influenced cuisine inspired by authentic Chinese culinary principles, to the Philippines,” JFC said in a statement.

    JFC chairman Tony Tan Caktiong said Panda Express is “very much in line with JFC brand portfolio.”

    “We look forward to tapping into JFC’s market expertise to grow the Panda Express brand into a household name in the Philippines and, more importantly, actioning our shared value of inspiring people to better their lives,” Andrew Cherng, co-founder and co-CEO of Panda.

    Jollibee Group’s worldwide store network reached 4,324 as of Aug. 31, 2018.

    JFC said Panda Express has operations in the US, Canada, Mexico, Korea, Japan and Russia, among others.

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  • Jollibee goes to London

    Jollibee goes to London

    Brits are about to have a taste of “bida ang saya” (joyful experience) as Jollibee Foods has started its expansion in the United Kingdom with a ceremonial launch of its first store on Sept. 25.

    Cabinet secretaries visited the store on the sidelines of an investors’ roadshow in the UK, a month before its grand opening next month.

    JFC officials, led by chief executive officer (CEO) Ernesto Tanmantiong and JFC president and head of Jollibee International Business for Europe, Middle East, Asia and Australia Dennis Flores, welcomed the government officials.

    “We are truly delighted and excited to be opening and introducing Jollibee to this part of the world. I, together with our Jollibee International and store teams, sincerely appreciate your presence here. We are sincerely humbled by your visit as we partner for economic progress and help contribute to bringing honor to our country,” said Tanmantiong.

    Tanmantiong noted that as JFC has done in Vietnam, Brunei, Singapore and Hong Kong, it also envisions to successfully serve the Filipino community as well as the British in the UK.

    The Cabinet officials’ visit coincided with the Philippine Economic Briefing in the UK, where they presented before the UK-Association of Southeast Asian Nations Business Council the latest updates on various government programs.

    The officials present were Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Public Works Secretary Mark Villar, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, National Economic and Development Authority director general Ernesto Pernia and Bases Conversion and Development Authority president and CEO Vivencio Dizon.

    Lawmaker Pia Cayetano and Philippine Ambassador to the UK Antonio Manuel Lagdameo joined the Cabinet officials.

    “From our family, to our people, to those who invested in us, to our suppliers and to our customers, the journey has become not just our own, but a journey of the Filipino people. We look forward to traveling to the next destinations together,” Tanmantiong said.

    The UK store, which is opening on Oct. 20, is among the latest branches JFC is opening abroad.

    JFC will also open stores in Macau and New York this year.

    “(JFC’s) success is becoming the success of the Philippines as they represent, in a way, the dynamism and world class, hardworking and happy character of Filipinos,” Lopez told.

    Lopez said the economic team is pleased to be part of the JFC milestone in the UK.

    JFC is the parent company of Jollibee and has 12 brands with over 4,000 stores across 20 countries.

    In 2013, JFC became the number one restaurant company in Asia in terms of market capitalization and is now the world’s largest Asian restaurant company.

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  • Jollibee UK launches soon

    Jollibee UK launches soon

    Philippine fast-food chain Jollibee has hinted at opening its first store in the United Kingdom.

    The potential of a Jollibee UK debut was revealed in a tweet featuring a photo of its mascot bee with British Ambassador to the Philippines Daniel Pruce, hashtagged #JollibeeLondon and #1stJollibeeInUK.

    The ambassador had previously said Jollibee would open in Britain this year in a TV interview, during which he professed his love for the brand’s fried chicken.

    The opening will expand Jollibee’s footprint in Europe, which was initiated in March this year with the opening of a store in Milan. It has previously targeted mainly Filipino communities in the US, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

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  • Jollibee Foods Corp. buys stake in Tortas Frontera

    Jollibee Foods Corp. buys stake in Tortas Frontera

    Philippine fast-food operator Jollibee has bought a 47 per cent stake in US-based Mexican food chain Tortas Frontera.

    The US$12.4 million acquisition was announced in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange. Chairman Tony Tan Caktiong said would help the firm tap the “fast-growing” Mexican food category in the US. Mexican venues occupy about 9 per cent of the US restaurants market.

    The move falls in line with Jollibee’s plans to become one of the top five fast-food chains in the world, and is its second major acquisition in the US following taking a majority shareholding in Smashburger. It has also purchased big brands in China.

    Jollibee operates 4279 stores globally, with more than 1400 of those Jollibee-branded outlets.

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  • Fast food chain Jollibee to open 25 stores

    Fast food chain Jollibee to open 25 stores

    Philippine fast-food chain Jollibee plans to open 25 UAE stores by 2020.

    Describing the UAE as “a key market” in its regional development plans, Jollibee has already opened a 12th store in Al Ain Mall and is preparing two other mall locations in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. It has also updated its menu offerings to satisfy local palates, while still ensuring the menu appeals to the large population of Filipino OFWs in the area.

    Jollibee UAE CEO Hisham Al Gurg said, “The UAE is a key expansion market for the brand, ever since we launched our first outlet in Dubai Mall in 2015… the awareness of the brand in the UAE is increasing rapidly. The launch of the new restaurants is driven by strong demand from customers, thereby bringing the brand closer, not only to the larger Filipino community present in the country, but also to several other nationalities.”

    The company is currently developing a voice recognition service called Bee Talks to help customers place orders verbally via a Facebook app.

    Jollibee has operated as Golden Bee Restaurants in the UAE since 2015.

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