News

Jollibee begins rapid US expansion

Fans with #ItsOurTurn signs eagerly wait outside of the Jollibee Hayward store on Sept. 21 in anticipation of the official opening. (Photo: Jollibee)

September 30, 2019

Popular fast-food restaurant Jollibee is dialing up its U.S. expansion with two new stores opening across California this fall, beginning with the opening of the Bay area store in Hayward last week, a news release said. In October, the company said it will open a store in Artesia in Los Angeles County.

As one of the world's largest and fastest-growing Asian restaurant companies, the Filipino-based Jollibee Foods Corporation is now turning on growth in North America, with its aggressive U.S. expansion key in the company's goal of becoming one of the world's top five restaurant companies. As such, the Hayward and Artesia stores mark the brand's 38th and 39th U.S. stores and 45th and 46th North America stores. The company expects to grow to 150 U.S. units by 2023, the release said. 

"Knowing that accessibility is important to our customers, we're so excited to be able to expand our reach across the state and bring additional Jollibee locations to the communities that have already shown us support and expressed their love for the brand," JFC North America Philippine Brands President Maribeth Dela Cruz said in the release.

The chain features dishes like signature entrée Chickenjoy, which comes with gravy and a signature sweet-style Jolly spaghetti with slices of ham and hot dog. The brand tends to attract crowds to its opening, including the100-plus who lined up for the 8 a.m. opening of the Hayward store, including some that had been there since the night before. 

Worldwide, the brand has more than 4,600 store branches across 21 countries, the release said.