Jollibee

COVINA, Calif. —&nbsp;The global fast-food sensation&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jollibeefoods.com/franchising?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=george-almeida-15-unit-deal-northern-california-2732318" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Jollibee</a>, famous for its Chickenjoy fried chicken and warm hospitality, is partnering with veteran franchise operator&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-almeida-55896211?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=george-almeida-15-unit-deal-northern-california-2732318" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">George Almeida</a>, a multi-brand franchisee with nearly four decades of QSR experience. Almeida's investment is driven by a strategic bet on one of the most compelling growth stories in QSR today and a personal connection to the iconic brand, which was first introduced to him by his longtime operator.“The Bay Area is&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/jollibee/info">Jollibee</a> heaven,” Almeida said. “From the demographics, we have one of the largest Filipino communities in the country. Jollibee’s strongest asset is its reputation among the Filipino community in the U.S. It is an absolute icon within that community. But the exciting thing for me is the number of people who have never heard of Jollibee, given the volume the stores are already doing. The upside potential of getting the general population familiar with the quality of the operations and the food is so exciting. That is unlimited. This is a great asset because you have an iconic brand that anyone can love.”Almeida operated as a multi-unit franchisee in the Fuddruckers system for nearly 40 years, during which time he grew his portfolio to include 10 units across three states. He continues to operate one Fuddruckers, which has been in operation for 42 years. More recently, Almeida was a Dave’s Hot Chicken franchisee in Northern California from 2020 to early 2024, before selling those holdings.Last year, he came across the Jollibee franchise opportunity while researching brands. “I was familiar with Jollibee because my operator, who has been with me for close to 20 years, would always bring Jollibee food to our meetings,” he said. “She's Filipino and grew up with it. When I saw they were expanding, I told her about the franchise opportunity and she was so excited and recommended that we look into it.”After connecting with the Jollibee team, Almeida quickly saw alignment. “I really loved the conversation with them and we felt like we had a great connection, and they felt the same way with me,” he said. “I was extremely comfortable and excited to be part of the Jollibee family.”From a business standpoint, the decision was equally compelling. “We looked at the AUV compared to the build-out costs,” Almeida said. “As someone with a lot of experience in the QSR space, I can say that the numbers they are producing in the U.S. and the volumes they are already doing are very impressive.”Under the agreement, Almeida plans to develop 15 locations across Northern California over the next eight years. He says he aims to focus on high-visibility sites that can support strong volumes and long-term success.“We’re excited to welcome George to the Jollibee family,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-wright-53808a2b?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=george-almeida-15-unit-deal-northern-california-2732318" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Peter Wright</a>, vice president of franchising for Jollibee Group North America. “George brings decades of operational experience, a strong understanding of multi-unit growth and a clear passion for building great teams. That combination makes him an ideal partner as we continue expanding across Northern California.”About Jollibee GroupJollibee Foods Corporation (JFC), also known as the Jollibee Group, is one of the world’s fastest-growing restaurant companies, with a mission to deliver great-tasting food, bringing the joy of eating through its 19 brands with over 10,000 stores across 33 countries.&nbsp;The Jollibee Group’s portfolio includes nine wholly owned brands (Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal, Yonghe King, Hong Zhuang Yuan, Smashburger and Tim Ho Wan), five franchised brands (Burger King, Panda Express, Yoshinoya, Common Man Coffee Roasters, and Tiong Bahru Bakery in the Philippines), and ownership stakes in other key brands like The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (80%), Compose Coffee (70%), SuperFoods Group that operates Highlands Coffee (60%), and bubble tea brand Milksha (51%). The Company also has membership interests in Tortazo, LLC, along with Chef Rick Bayless, for Tortazo in the U.S. and has recently invested in Botrista, a leader in beverage technology.&nbsp;The Jollibee Group’s global sustainability agenda, Joy for Tomorrow, underscores its commitment to sustainable business practices across food safety, employee welfare, community support, good governance, and environmental responsibility, among others. These focus areas are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).The Jollibee Group has been recognized as the Philippines' Most Admired Company by the Asian Wall Street Journal, named one of Asia's Fab 50 Companies, and listed among Forbes' World’s Best Employers and Top Female-Friendly Companies. The Company is also a three-time Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award recipient and featured in TIME’s World’s Best Companies and Fortune’s Southeast Asia 500 List.To learn more about Jollibee Group, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.jollibeegroup.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=george-almeida-15-unit-deal-northern-california-2732318" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.jollibeegroup.com</a>.

Veteran Franchisee George Almeida Signs 15-Unit Jollibee Deal in Northern California

1851 Franchise

Almeida, who built his career with Fuddruckers and Dave's Hot Chicken, is now making a major move to bring Jollibee to Northern California. Here’s why.

This brand page has been paid for by JOLLIBEE. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

After 40 Years in QSR, Veteran Franchise Operator George Almeida Brings Jollibee to Northern California as Brand Outpaces Industry

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WEST COVINA, Calif. — Driven by passionate customer loyalty,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jollibeefoods.com/franchising">Jollibee</a>, the global fast-food sensation famous for its Chickenjoy fried chicken and warm hospitality, is kicking off 2026 with impressive first-quarter momentum, highlighted by new stores, development agreements, and an expanding franchise pipeline that positions the brand for its long-term goal of 500 North American restaurants.“We had a great quarter,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-wright-53808a2b?trk=public_post_feed-actor-name">Peter Wright</a>, vice president of franchise development for&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/jollibee/info">Jollibee Group North America</a>. “We opened up two new units, including a new company-owned store in Stockton, California, and one in New York City on 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue.”In addition to new restaurant openings, Jollibee continues to build its franchise development pipeline with targeted agreements in strategic markets. “We signed two development agreements — one in Oklahoma for 10 restaurants and a second in the South Bay area of San Francisco for 15 units,” Wright said.These new deals push the brand’s expansion even further, following the rollout of its franchising program across the U.S. and Canada in 2025. With so much interest from experienced operators, Jollibee is focusing on multi-unit growth in busy regions while staying selective about who it franchises with.Jollibee is also gaining traction with new locations preparing to open in California and New York.A major driver behind Jollibee’s accelerating franchise growth is its combination of strong financial performance and passionate customer demand.“From a franchisee perspective, there are few concepts that offer as high an AUV, customer loyalty, and development white space - we check all those boxes,” Wright said. “New York Tri-State, Florida, Texas, the West Coast and Chicago - these are all areas where we see significant opportunity.”Free-standing locations average approximately $4.91 million in annual gross sales, while in-line locations average about $5.07 million.* Those results, paired with a globally recognized brand and a loyal fan base, continue to attract experienced multi-unit operators seeking scalable opportunities in the QSR segment.Jollibee’s Q1 performance signals continued momentum as the brand works toward its long-term goal of reaching 500 locations across North America by 2030. By aligning corporate development with franchise expansion, the company is creating a balanced growth strategy that supports both new and existing operators.“We’re pleased with the progress we’ve made so far this year,” Wright said. “Between new openings, new development agreements and the strength of our franchise pipeline, we’re building on the momentum from last year and setting the stage for continued growth.”As Jollibee moves deeper into 2026, the brand remains focused on securing additional development agreements, opening new restaurants in priority markets and partnering with franchisees who align with its high standards and commitment to delivering a joyful guest experience.About Jollibee GroupJollibee Foods Corporation (JFC), also known as the Jollibee Group, is one of the world’s fastest-growing restaurant companies, with a mission to deliver great-tasting food, bringing the joy of eating through its 19 brands with over 10,000 stores across 33 countries.&nbsp;The Jollibee Group’s portfolio includes nine wholly owned brands (Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal, Yonghe King, Hong Zhuang Yuan, Smashburger and Tim Ho Wan), five franchised brands (Burger King, Panda Express, Yoshinoya, Common Man Coffee Roasters, and Tiong Bahru Bakery in the Philippines), and ownership stakes in other key brands like The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (80%), Compose Coffee (70%), SuperFoods Group that operates Highlands Coffee (60%), and bubble tea brand Milksha (51%). The Company also has membership interests in Tortazo, LLC, along with Chef Rick Bayless, for Tortazo in the U.S. and has recently invested in Botrista, a leader in beverage technology.&nbsp;The Jollibee Group’s global sustainability agenda, Joy for Tomorrow, underscores its commitment to sustainable business practices across food safety, employee welfare, community support, good governance, and environmental responsibility, among others. These focus areas are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).The Jollibee Group has been recognized as the Philippines' Most Admired Company by the Asian Wall Street Journal, named one of Asia's Fab 50 Companies, and listed among Forbes' World’s Best Employers and Top Female-Friendly Companies. The Company is also a three-time Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award recipient and featured in TIME’s World’s Best Companies and Fortune’s Southeast Asia 500 List.To learn more about Jollibee Group, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.jollibeegroup.com">www.jollibeegroup.com</a>.*Annual gross sales are derived from 37 free-standing and 40 in-line reporting locations open for the full 2025 calendar year. Annual gross sales for free-standing locations ranged from $2,053,972 to $9,820,614, with an average of $4,907,120 (19/51% exceeded the average). Annual gross sales for in-line locations ranged from $2,205,139 to $9,407,510, with an average of $5,074,194 (18/45% exceeded the average). Some outlets have earned this amount. Your individual results may differ. There is no assurance that you will earn as much. See Item 19 of the JBM LLC Franchise Disclosure Document.

New store openings, development agreements and expanding franchise pipeline position the global brand for continued acceleration in 2026.

Fueled by Customer Love, Jollibee Advances Toward 500 North American Restaurants in Q1 With Multi-Unit Franchise Operators Who Share Its Vision

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<a href="https://www.jollibeefoods.com/franchising">Jollibee</a>, the global fast food brand with over 1,700 units around the world, has opened another Midtown Manhattan location at 14. E. 42nd St., part of its higher-level national growth journey, which targets New York as a prime area of focus."We see tremendous demand for the brand, which gives us the confidence that it's a great market to continue to grow in,"&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-wright-53808a2b/">Peter Wright</a>, vice president of franchise development, told the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bizjournals.com/newyork/news/2026/03/31/new-jollibee-nyc-14-e-42nd-st-midtown-manhattan.html">New York Business Journal</a>. "We're just scratching the surface of the New York area."While proximity to the two other Midtown locations at 609 Eighth Ave. and 1500 Broadway was one draw for the new E. 42nd St. restaurant, Wright also highlighted high foot traffic and proximity to Grand Central Station as additional draws.Though New York City’s real estate landscape can be challenging for some restaurant brands,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/jollibee/info">Jollibee’s</a> model makes it easier and will support the brand’s continued growth across the city."One of the really nice things about the Jollibee concept is the flexibility in real estate formats," Wright said. "We have successful stores operating in food courts and strip centers all the way to standing stores with drive-thru windows."Read the full article&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bizjournals.com/newyork/news/2026/03/31/new-jollibee-nyc-14-e-42nd-st-midtown-manhattan.html">here</a>.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/jollibee">https://1851franchise.com/jollibee</a>.&nbsp;

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The new restaurant, opened at 14 E. 42nd St., is the next step in the global fast food brand’s New York development, which is a key focus of its larger national growth strategy.

New York Business Journal: Jollibee Opens Midtown Restaurant, Eyes NYC Growth for Filipino Chicken Chain

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<a href="https://www.jollibeefoods.com/franchising">Jollibee</a> is targeting the Chicago area as a key Midwest growth market in 2026,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/news/2026/02/10/jollibee-seeks-to-expand-in-chicago.html">according to a recent article in the Chicago Biz Journal</a>. The Filipino fried chicken chain, which first entered Chicago in 2016, currently operates four company-owned locations across the city and surrounding suburbs.&nbsp;“Chicago is one of our high-priority markets for Midwest growth in 2026,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-wright-53808a2b/">Peter Wright</a>, Jollibee vice president of franchising. “We want to start expanding in concentric circles from our existing locations and explore opportunities in the surrounding suburbs.”<a href="https://1851franchise.com/jollibee/how-jollibees-flexible-real-estate-strategy-is-opening-doors-in-nontraditional-markets-2731652">The company’s real estate strategy is flexible</a>, allowing it to perform well across different site types. In suburban markets,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/jollibee/info">Jollibee</a> is prioritizing freestanding locations with drive-thrus, while urban units are more commonly placed in strip centers. Rather than purchasing real estate, the brand prefers leasing but remains open to strong opportunities, whether through new developments or existing spaces.This Chicago expansion is part of a&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/jollibee/inside-jollibees-2026-expansion-plan-the-roadmap-to-150-us-restaurants-2731390">much larger North American growth plan</a>. Jollibee currently operates 107 locations across the U.S. and Canada and aims to reach 500 locations in North America by 2030. Its push into Chicago suburbs comes amid increased competition, as several other fast-growing restaurant chains are also expanding in the market, highlighting both the opportunity and intensity of the region’s QSR landscape.Read the full article&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bizjournals.com/chicago/news/2026/02/10/jollibee-seeks-to-expand-in-chicago.html">here</a>.&nbsp;To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/jollibee">https://1851franchise.com/jollibee</a>.

As Jollibee pushes toward 500 North American locations by 2030, the brand is turning to Chicago’s suburbs for its next phase of growth.

Chicago Biz Journal: Jollibee Targets Chicago Suburbs for Franchise Expansion as U.S. Growth Accelerates

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In an industry where brands compete for attention to survive, few have built an emotional connection with fans like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jollibeefoods.com/franchising">Jollibee</a>. From multigenerational families who grew up with the brand to first-time guests discovering it in the United States,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/jollibee/info">Jollibee’s</a> following goes beyond typical loyalty.According to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-wright-53808a2b/">Peter Wright</a>, vice president of franchising, loyalty isn’t accidental. It’s the result of culture, food, authenticity and a consistently memorable guest experience coming together in a way that resonates across borders. “Every guest experience is critical,” Wright said. “It has to be consistent across our locations. We have long focused on excellence in serving our guests. Our aim is to always operate at the highest level we can. We aspire to a 100% gold-standard level of operations in every Jollibee. Superior taste, speed with excellence and a warm, joyful experience for every guest is our aim.&nbsp;<h2>A Cultural Connection That Runs Deep</h2>One of the most powerful drivers of Jollibee’s fanbase starts with its roots. “Start with the Filipino-American community, they grew up with the brand, whether in the Philippines or the U.S.,” Wright said. “It’s a nostalgic taste of home and an immense source of pride.” Founded in 1978 by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-tan-caktiong-9129287/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=jollibee-franchise-entrepreneurs-2025-2729648">Tony Tan Caktiong</a>, Jollibee quickly rose from an ice cream parlor in the Philippines to become the flagship of Jollibee Foods Corporation, one of the world's largest restaurant companies. While Jollibee is rooted in the Filipino-American community, its influence is growing across the broader American landscape. By introducing familiar favorites like chicken tenders and sandwiches, the brand is making everyone feel welcome and is quickly becoming&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/jollibee/midtown-nyc-restaurant-2731969">a staple in new and diverse neighborhoods</a>.“What’s really exciting is seeing our growing success across borders and cultures around the world - and we are especially excited about the results we see in the U.S. and Canada. Jollibee is showing that great taste and a joyful experience resonate with everyone,” Wright said.As global food culture continues to influence American dining habits, Jollibee is benefiting from both heritage-driven loyalty and growing mainstream curiosity.<h2>Flavor That Creates Cravings and Repeat Visits</h2>While culture may bring people in, it's the food that keeps them coming back. “Taste is number one, service excellence, and a consistent happy customer experience are fundamental to earning our guests’ loyalty,” Wright said.Jollibee’s menu strikes a rare balance: it delivers bold, distinctive flavors rooted in Filipino heritage while still appealing to a broad range of American consumers. Over the years, the brand has evolved into a beloved fast-food powerhouse, known for its iconic&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jollibeefoods.com/menu/chickenjoy-fried-chicken">Chickenjoy fried chicken</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jollibeefoods.com/products/jolly-spaghetti">Jolly Spaghetti,</a> and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jollibeefoods.com/products/peach-mango-pie?utm_source=1851franchise.com&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=jollibee-franchise-entrepreneurs-2025-2729648">Peach Mango Pie</a>. &nbsp;Recently,&nbsp;<a href="https://time.com/article/2026/04/28/time100-companies-food-and-drink/">Jollibee earned recognition as one of The 10 Most Influential Food &amp; Drink Companies of 2026 by Time Magazine</a>, and has been named one of “<a href="https://adage.com/article/special-report-hottest-brands/2022-hottest-brands-most-popular-marketing-jollibee/2420891/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=jollibee-franchise-entrepreneurs-2025-2729648">America’s Hottest Brands” by AdAge</a>, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jollibeefoods.com/buzz-room/eater-which-chain-makes-the-best-fried-chicken">"Best Chain Fried Chicken in America" by Eater</a>.This combination, unique yet approachable, creates a powerful feedback loop: first-time guests are intrigued, and repeat guests become advocates.<h2>Authenticity in Every Interaction</h2>Beyond the food,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/jollibee/franchise-culture-brand-success-2730940">Jollibee’s brand authenticity</a> plays a major role in building long-term loyalty.“It’s the small things in life that contribute to a joyful experience,” Wright said. “It’s having a great meal with friends and family served with warm, hospitable service. And I think we execute that at a high level in all of our restaurants.”That authenticity is rooted in Jollibee’s culture, which emphasizes hospitality, family and joy. It’s reflected in everything from how guests are greeted to how meals are prepared and served.Jollibee is also investing in modern tools to deepen relationships with its growing fanbase. “<a href="https://www.jollibeefoods.com/rewards">We launched our loyalty program last year</a> and we are seeing a strong customer response,” Wright said.The program gives Jollibee a direct line to its customers, allowing the brand to reward repeat visits, introduce new menu items and stay top-of-mind in a digital world. Combined with strong in-store experiences, these efforts help transform guests into long-term brand advocates.<h2>A Brand That Resonates Across Generations</h2>Ultimately, Jollibee’s loyalty comes down to its ability to deliver something rare in fast food:&nbsp;meaning. It’s a brand that means something to people, whether that’s a reminder of home, a new favorite meal or simply a place where they know they’ll have a great experience.And what does this all mean for franchisees? Well, the results place Jollibee well above many established chicken competitors and major QSR brands. Free-standing stores average about $4.9 million in annual sales, while in-line locations average $5.07 million.*“We know why people love Jollibee,” Wright said. “Our job is to honor that, while continuing to evolve in ways that improve the experience for our customers and our franchisees.”To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/jollibee">https://1851franchise.com/jollibee</a>.*Annual gross sales are derived from 37 free-standing and 40 in-line reporting locations open for the full 2025 calendar year. Annual gross sales for free-standing locations ranged from $2,053,972 to $9,820,614, with an average of $4,907,120 (19/51% exceeded the average). Annual gross sales for in-line locations ranged from $2,205,139 to $9,407,510, with an average of $5,074,194 (18/45% exceeded the average). Some outlets have earned this amount. Your individual results may differ. There is no assurance that you will earn as much. See Item 19 of the JBM LLC Franchise Disclosure Document.

Peter Wright, vice president of franchising, outlines how Jollibee has leveraged its deep Filipino roots and a culture of joyful hospitality to build a multi-generational fanbase.

Why Jollibee Has One of the Most Loyal Fanbases in Fast Food

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<a href="https://www.jollibeefoods.com/franchising">Jollibee</a>, the global fast-food brand, is strengthening its presence in the New York City metro area with a new three-unit franchise development agreement covering Staten Island, a borough the brand sees as a high-potential, underserved market. The deal was signed by Yong Xu and Aron Teng, experienced multi-brand operators currently running café and restaurant concepts across New York and New Jersey.&nbsp;Unlike other New York City boroughs, Staten Island operates largely as a self-contained market where residents tend to shop and dine locally. With no&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/jollibee/info">Jollibee</a> locations on this island, as well as the brand’s existing name recognition and loyal customer base in nearby Woodside, Queens, there is pent-up demand for the restaurant.&nbsp;"Staten Island has a population like Long Island, but it's 65% denser; everybody is just trapped on the island," Teng said. "They don't need to go to Manhattan, and they don't need to go to the other boroughs to shop. We feel that it's a really good fit and it's New York City, but more of a suburban New York City."&nbsp;The borough's limited access to certain national and international brands creates an opening for a high-demand concept to gain traction quickly and build a loyal local following. This is especially true when it comes to delivery.&nbsp;"A lot of online platforms don't deliver to Staten Island, not from other boroughs," Xu said. "If you don't have the location in Staten Island, then you don't get the food. We would like to be part of that so the community has more options when they order online."<h2>Operators With the Right Background</h2>Xu and Teng bring complementary skill sets that align with the demands of multi-unit restaurant development. Xu has undergraduate and graduate degrees in accounting, earned his CPA designation and built his early career at Ernst &amp; Young and Barclays, where he focused on auditing, financial analysis and corporate operations.&nbsp;"My background in accounting helps me manage financial performance and build scalable systems," he said.Teng, meanwhile, spent years in New York real estate, first as an agent and broker, then as a developer working on multifamily and commercial projects for six to seven years after graduating with a finance degree from Baruch College in New York City. When the pandemic disrupted the real estate market, the two partners began evaluating businesses with stronger cash flow characteristics, which ultimately led them to food service.&nbsp;"We wanted to go into more of a cash flow-heavy business," Teng said. "That's when I decided to team up with Yong." They now operate multiple concepts across New York and New Jersey, including a Paris Baguette franchise, and describe a hands-on management style that covers everything from site selection to daily operations.<h2>Why Jollibee</h2>The decision to invest in Jollibee came from seeing the brand’s performance and culture. Xu and Teng spent more than two years pursuing the opportunity, staying in contact with the corporate team even during a period when the brand was not yet ready to move forward with franchising.&nbsp;"The first year, they weren't quite ready for franchising, but we kept trying and kept in contact," Teng said. "Finally, in the third or fourth quarter of last year, we had an opportunity to invest in Jollibee, and it's really been a good journey."Both operators were already familiar with the brand as regular customers at its Woodside, Queens location, and strong unit-level sales first caught their attention. After attending a Jollibee franchise event and convention, the team became equally convinced by the company's organizational culture and its approach to franchisee relationships.&nbsp;“They're very family-oriented, and we just feel that warm and loving culture is really different," Teng said. "It really aligns with what we want to do with our team and our future business. They call themselves support centers; they don't even call themselves headquarters. We feel very welcome and warm to join the family, and there's a lot of help from their team."<h2>A Brand Targeting Scale</h2>Jollibee has set a target of 500 North American locations by 2030, representing a significant opportunity for experienced multi-unit operators like Teng and Xu looking to grow within a system that is still in the early stages of its national expansion.&nbsp;"We would like to be part of that growth in New York,” Xu said. “What's most exciting for us is the sales and business success. We hope the stores we open and the sites we select are a huge success for both the company and us as franchisees."With site selection underway and the team close to signing a lease on their first Staten Island location, the three-unit deal marks another concrete step in Jollibee's strategy to expand through experienced, multi-unit operators in competitive urban markets. Xu and Teng expect to have their first store open by the end of the year, with the remaining locations to follow as development progresses.For more information on franchising with Jollibee, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/jollibee.">https://1851franchise.com/jollibee.</a>&nbsp;

Jollibee Was the Right Move for these Multi-Unit Franchisees

The global fast-food brand is expanding its U.S. franchise network with a multi-unit agreement that will bring three restaurants to Staten Island, one of New York City's most underserved boroughs.

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<a href="https://www.jollibeefoods.com/franchising">Jollibee</a> is best known for Chickenjoy fried chicken, but its growth story is increasingly tied to where and how the brand can open. As restaurant sites become harder to secure,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/jollibee/info">Jollibee’s</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/jollibee/how-jollibees-flexible-real-estate-strategy-is-opening-doors-in-nontraditional-markets-2731652">flexible model gives franchise operators more options</a> than a single standard buildout.“The flexibility of our real estate strategy is a real plus for franchise developers,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-wright-53808a2b">Peter Wright</a>, vice president of franchising. “We have stores operating in a variety of formats, including free-standing and endcaps with and without drive-thrus, inline urban core, mall and food courts.”The brand is also actively exploring nontraditional environments such as airports, transit hubs, college campuses, military bases and medical centers.For developers, that means a single tenant can support multiple site types across a portfolio. For multi-unit operators, it means development doesn’t stall waiting on a single ideal pad.&nbsp;This flexibility is also especially powerful in nontraditional and underdeveloped pockets of major metros, where demand exists but real estate doesn’t fit a cookie-cutter model. Mall locations, inline spaces and endcaps can often deliver strong economics without the barriers associated with ground-up development.Standout examples include&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/1851magazine/posts/jollibee-the-global-fried-chicken-company-that-began-its-united-states-franchisi/1379402910859478/">the Times Square location and the first franchise location on Queens Boulevard in Flushing</a>, Wright said, which operate as walk-up stores in a demanding real estate environment.And the results speak for themselves. Freestanding locations average approximately $4.91 million in annual gross sales, while inline locations average about $5.07 million.*The brand is set to showcase this key competitive advantage when tens of thousands of real estate developers, brokers and operators gather at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.icsc.com/attend-and-learn/events/details/las-vegas-2026">ICSC Las Vegas 2026</a> from May 18 to 20, all searching for brands that can actually work.For multi-unit operators, the appeal goes beyond real estate flexibility.&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/jollibee/franchise-culture-brand-success-2730940">Jollibee offers a globally recognized brand</a> with a loyal and expanding customer base: one that reduces the need to build awareness market by market.“Jollibee doesn’t rely on existing traffic because we create it,” Wright said. “That’s a meaningful difference when you’re looking at activating a site or strengthening a retail mix. We bring energy, volume and repeat visits.”As ICSC Las Vegas 2026 brings together the industry’s key decision-makers, Jollibee’s message is clear: the future of restaurant growth belongs to brands that can adapt.“We’re looking for experienced operators who want to scale,” Wright said. “Our model gives them multiple ways to grow within a territory, not just one path tied to a single format.”By designing its model around how customers actually live, shop and travel, rather than forcing development into outdated prototypes, Jollibee is opening doors in both traditional and nontraditional markets.For those attending ICSC Las Vegas 2026 (May 18-20) or any developer/operator seeking an adaptable, high-volume tenant, Jollibee is ready to talk about scale. Reach out to Vice President of Franchising Peter Wright at peter.wright@jollibeeusa.com or visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jollibeefoods.com/franchising">the Jollibee website</a> to learn more.&nbsp;*Annual gross sales are derived from 37 free-standing and 40 inline reporting locations open for the full 2025 calendar year. Annual gross sales for free-standing locations ranged from $2,053,972 to $9,820,614, with an average of $4,907,120 (19/51% exceeded the average). Annual gross sales for inline locations ranged from $2,205,139 to $9,407,510, with an average of $5,074,194 (18/45% exceeded the average). Some outlets have earned this amount. Your individual results may differ. There is no assurance that you will earn as much. See Item 19 of the JBM LLC Franchise Disclosure Document.

With the ability to operate drive-thrus, endcaps, urban storefronts, inline and food courts, Jollibee is eager to meet developers and multi-unit operators from May 18 to 20 at ICSC Las Vegas 2026.

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For many restaurant brands, franchising is an early growth lever. For&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jollibeefoods.com/franchising">Jollibee</a>, it was a milestone earned over decades.Before officially launching its franchising program in North America, the global fried chicken leader spent years building, refining and stress-testing more than 100 company-owned restaurants across the United States and Canada. That deliberate, operator-first approach has become the foundation of a franchise system designed not just for expansion, but for long-term success at the unit level.Rather than asking franchisees to “figure it out,”&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/jollibee/info">Jollibee</a> entered franchising having already done the work. The brand refined everything from kitchen flow and staffing models to menu execution and customer experience.“Many brands rush into franchising as a way to drive growth,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-wright-53808a2b/">Peter Wright</a>, vice president of franchising. “Jollibee did not rush into franchising. By operating corporate units for decades, we ‘cracked the code’ on operations before asking franchisees to join the system.”<h2>Building a Franchise-Ready System From the Inside Out</h2>Operating at scale across North America gave Jollibee something many emerging franchise brands lack: a deep understanding of the U.S. consumer and the operational realities of the market.“This is a long-tenured team, and that will benefit franchisees a lot,” Wright said. “The team has seen virtually every kind of challenge thrown at us, and as they’ve navigated them, they’ve really figured out how to thrive in the U.S. market.”That experience shows up in every layer of the franchise system today, from training and site selection to operational playbooks and performance benchmarks.One of the most important lessons Jollibee learned from operating its own restaurants is that new locations don’t get a traditional ramp-up period, for example,&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/jollibee/how-jollibee-blends-beloved-heritage-with-modern-innovation-to-power-us-growth-2731485#franchisor-stories">especially in today’s social media-driven environment</a>.“Even ahead of openings, we are starting to see a lot of postings on social media about restaurants,” Wright said. “That builds up a lot of anticipation. You don’t really have a grace period after you open — you have to be ready on day one.”That reality has shaped Jollibee's franchising approach. “From our standpoint, that means making the investment in people, training and support to ensure that from the first hour, guests are having a great experience,” Wright said.For franchisees, that means stepping into a system built to prepare them from the start. The onboarding, training and support are meant to help new locations open well and keep performing over time.<h2>A Model Built on Proven Demand</h2>Jollibee’s corporate footprint also validated an equally important point:&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/jollibee/franchise-culture-brand-success-2730940">broad, cross-cultural consumer demand</a>.While the brand has long been beloved within Filipino communities, its company-owned locations proved its ability to scale far beyond that base. “One of our newest stores in NYC was getting about 95% of customers from the general population,” Wright said. “We are building a loyal following beyond the Filipino communities.”That insight is critical for franchisees evaluating long-term growth potential. It signals that Jollibee is not a niche concept but a mainstream brand with expanding appeal, supported by strong unit-level performance:&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/jollibee/jollibee-top-us-chicken-chains-2730353">free-standing restaurants average approximately $4.55 million in annual sales</a>, while in-line locations average $4.62 million, with some in-line locations even surpassing $9 million annually.&nbsp;“The growth of the popularity of the brand is the real opportunity,” Wright said. “The positive response we’ve seen and our financial performance speak for themselves.”Even as Jollibee embraces franchising, it hasn’t abandoned its operator-first mindset.&nbsp;“We’re going to continue building company-owned units,” Wright said. “But we’re also going to partner with the right franchisees to develop units. Being an operator ourselves and having that alignment with the franchise operating community is a great strength for us. Our north star is the success of Jollibee.”<h2>A More Disciplined Approach to Franchising</h2>Because Jollibee spent years refining its model before franchising, the brand can afford to take a more selective approach to growth. That matters for experienced operators because it points to a system built for long-term stability rather than rapid dealmaking.“It’s not about how many deals we can sign,” Wright said. “It’s about finding the right franchisees who are aligned with our vision. I like to say we award franchises, we don’t sell them. Joining Jollibee is like joining a very exclusive club.”As Jollibee&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/jollibee/inside-jollibees-2026-expansion-plan-the-roadmap-to-150-us-restaurants-2731390#franchisor-stories">works toward 500 North American locations by 2030</a>, it is entering franchising from a position of strength. In a crowded QSR landscape, that kind of foundation is rare.To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/jollibee">https://1851franchise.com/jollibee</a>.

After decades of operating company-owned restaurants, Jollibee is using those lessons to build a franchise model focused on scale, consistency and strong unit-level performance.

After 40 Years in QSR, Veteran Franchise Operator George Almeida Brings Jollibee to Northern California as Brand Outpaces Industry

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