Jollibee

<a href="https://www.jollibeefoods.com/franchising?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-jollibee-is-disrupting-the-qsr-industry-2730284" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Jollibee</a>, the fast-growing global quick-service restaurant brand, is proving that there’s room to rewrite the rules in the crowded American fast-food landscape. By offering a distinctive crave-worthy menu, delivering heartfelt service, and executing a bold franchising strategy, Jollibee is rapidly becoming one of the most compelling franchise opportunities in the market and a major disruptor in the U.S. QSR space.&nbsp;According to<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelle-ruiz-alino-35b87745/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-jollibee-is-disrupting-the-qsr-industry-2730284" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">&nbsp;</a>Beth Dela Cruz, President of Jollibee Group North America, the brand’s strength lies in two key pillars:&nbsp;products and people.&nbsp;“Going to Jollibee isn’t just about grabbing a quick bite,” Dela Cruz said. “It’s about enjoying truly great products. We’re very meticulous about the quality of every item on our menu, from our Chickenjoy, chicken sandwich, to our pies. There’s so much time, effort, and validation that goes into each product.”&nbsp;But it's not just the food that’s winning hearts; it’s the experience. “You can feel the difference in the warmth of the service,” Cruz said. “That level of genuine hospitality isn’t something you often find in the quick-service space. We’ve created a unique atmosphere, and that’s a big part of what makes Jollibee so special.”&nbsp;A Menu That Defies Expectations<a href="https://www.jollibeefoods.com/menu?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-jollibee-is-disrupting-the-qsr-industry-2730284" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Jollibee’s menu</a> is truly unlike any other in the QSR category. Where other brands often specialize in one item, Jollibee’s menu offers diversity without compromise, from its world-famous<a href="https://www.jollibeefoods.com/menu/chickenjoy-fried-chicken?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-jollibee-is-disrupting-the-qsr-industry-2730284" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">&nbsp;Chickenjoy</a> to Chicken Sandwiches to Angus Burgers, Filipino-style spaghetti, and peach mango pies.&nbsp;“Our menu is more diverse than what you’ll find at most QSR brands,” said Dela Cruz. “We serve chicken, burgers, pies, and our version of spaghetti. Operationally, that adds complexity, but it also allows us to welcome more people in. We aren’t just satisfying one craving. We’re offering something for everyone. That’s a key differentiator for us.”&nbsp;This variety allows Jollibee to appeal to a broader base of customers, including mainstream American diners. “We’ve proudly held onto our Filipino roots, but we’re no longer just opening in Filipino-centric communities,” Dela Cruz said. “We’re expanding into diverse, general markets, and the food speaks for itself. The flavors resonate instantly, and that’s what keeps guests coming.”&nbsp;Strategic Growth Backed by Strong Performance&nbsp;With over 1,700 locations worldwide and 100+ in North America, Jollibee, which is the flagship brand of the Jollibee Group, is pushing hard into the U.S. market with an aggressive, thoughtful expansion strategy. The company has strategically opened flagship locations in high-visibility areas like Times Square, downtown Chicago, and Los Angeles, alongside suburban stores placed within strong national retail corridors.&nbsp;“We’re building stores that serve as billboards for the brand,” said Dela Cruz. “Our main efforts right now are focused on making Jollibee more accessible to everyone.”&nbsp;According to Dela Cruz, franchising is the key to achieving the company’s ambitious goal: becoming one of the top five restaurant companies in the world. “Franchising has always been about growing with the right partners,” Dela Cruz said. “As Jollibee continues to expand, we’re focused on creating opportunities for entrepreneurs to build something meaningful, with the support of a brand that’s already proven its momentum in North America and beyond.”Why Franchisees Are Taking Notice&nbsp;Jollibee’s investment model also offers a compelling proposition. Free-standing stores average annual sales of approximately $4.55 million, while in-line locations average $4.62 million, with some in-line locations even surpassing $9 million annually*.&nbsp;​​​ And while startup costs, ranging from $ 1.64 million to $4.89 million, are comparable to other leading chicken concepts, the upside potential is significantly higher.&nbsp;“In terms of investment, we are comparable to other chicken QSR brands,” Dela Cruz said. “But our sales are much stronger.”&nbsp;The brand’s operational excellence is reflected in its high standards, as 100% of U.S. locations are Food, Service, and Cleanliness (FSC) certified, and 78% exceed a 90% quality score.&nbsp;Franchisees benefit from robust support, including training, site selection, and operational systems. The brand is actively targeting experienced, community-minded operators with a minimum net worth of $5 million and $2 million in liquid capital.&nbsp;The Right Time To Join&nbsp;As Jollibee pushes into mainstream markets and continues to earn national acclaim, including<a href="https://www.jollibeefoods.com/buzz-room/eater-which-chain-makes-the-best-fried-chicken?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-jollibee-is-disrupting-the-qsr-industry-2730284" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">&nbsp;“Best Chain Fried Chicken in America” by Eater</a> and<a href="https://jollibeegroup.com/news/jollibee-chickenjoy-voted-best-fast-food-fried-chicken-by-usa-today/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-jollibee-is-disrupting-the-qsr-industry-2730284" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">&nbsp;“America’s Best Fast Food Fried Chicken” by USA Today</a> for two years in a row, it is redefining what a global QSR brand can look like in North America.&nbsp;“The opportunity to invest in Jollibee is unique because we’re at a transformative moment,” said Dela Cruz. “We’ve built a very loyal base. Now, we’re expanding that joy to a broader audience. Franchisees joining now will play a critical role in shaping the future of this brand.”&nbsp;For Dela Cruz, the momentum is personal. “We’re constantly learning and we’re applying that knowledge. And we’re laser-focused on growth,” Dela Cruz said.&nbsp;With high-performing stores, beloved menu items, and a clear vision for national expansion, Jollibee is proving that heritage, hospitality, and bold ambition can go hand-in-hand — and disrupt an industry in the process.&nbsp;Interested in joining Jollibee’s growth story? Learn more about franchising opportunities at:<a href="https://www.jollibeefoods.com/franchising?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-jollibee-is-disrupting-the-qsr-industry-2730284" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> https://www.jollibeefoods.com/franchising</a>.&nbsp; *Annual gross sales is derived from 71 reporting locations open for all of 2024 (70 corporate and 1 franchised; 33 free-standing and 38 in-line). Annual gross sales for free-standing ranged from $1,731,944 to $8,752,538 with an average of $4,552,103 (14 / 42.4 % exceeded avg). Annual gross sales for in-line ranged from $2,047,256 to $9,906,004 with an average of $4,626,370 (16 / 42.1% exceeded avg). Some outlets have earned this amount. Your individual results may differ. There is no assurance that you’ll earn as much.&nbsp; See Item 19 of the JBM LLC FDD.

How Jollibee Is Disrupting the QSR Industry in North America 

1851 Franchise

Global brand Jollibee is redefining the competitive North American QSR landscape through a distinctive menu and a loyal customer base, driving its rapid expansion and impressive AUVs. 

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

How Jollibee Is Disrupting the QSR Franchise Industry 

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Jollibee Closes Out Landmark Year With Strong Franchise Momentum Across the United States and Canada

Inside Jollibee's 2026 Expansion Plan: The Roadmap to 150 U.S. Restaurants

They Ran the Numbers, Felt the Culture, and Knew Jollibee Was the Right Move for these Multi-Unit Franchisees

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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.

Why Jollibee’s Flexible Real Estate Model Makes It the Hottest QSR Investment of Today

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For many restaurant brands, real estate dictates growth. For&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jollibeefoods.com/franchising">Jollibee</a>, growth is dictated by something else entirely: the customer. And that mindset is reshaping how and where the global fried chicken brand is expanding across the United States.As&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/jollibee/info">Jollibee</a> accelerates its U.S. footprint, its real estate strategy has become one of its biggest competitive advantages. Rather than forcing every location into a single prototype, the brand has built a flexible, proven approach that allows it to succeed in everything from high-density urban cores to suburban strip centers and nontraditional sites.“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 -&nbsp; free-standing and end-caps with and without drive-throughs, inline urban core, mall and food courts.”<h2>Built to Win Across Formats</h2>Jollibee’s portfolio of operating formats reads more like a playbook than a limitation. Free-standing units, end caps, in-line locations, mall stores — even walk-up concepts — are all part of the brand’s existing footprint.Standout examples include the Times Square location and the first franchise location on Queens Blvd. in Flushing, Wright said, which operate as walk-up stores in a demanding real estate environment.That versatility matters as brands compete for space in markets where traditional drive-thru or free-standing sites are either unavailable or cost-prohibitive. Jollibee’s ability to adapt its format allows it to unlock white space that more rigid concepts simply can’t access. 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, in-line spaces and end caps can often deliver strong economics without the barriers associated with ground-up development.That flexibility gives developers more options. With several workable formats, Jollibee can fit into more sites and move from deal to opening faster.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Meeting Customers Where They Are</h2>At the heart of Jollibee’s real estate philosophy is a simple idea:&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/jollibee/chicken-franchise-opportunity-2730698">demand for great fried chicken isn’t confined to one type of custom market or location.</a>“What it’s really about is finding the right neighborhoods and communities to bring the joy of Jollibee to,” Wright said. “And the best part is finding the connection.”That perspective has allowed Jollibee to think differently about site selection. Instead of asking whether a location fits a predefined box, the brand asks whether it fits how customers live, shop and travel.“If they are at the mall shopping with family, they can find Jollibee,” Wright said. “Or if they are on a trip and want to hit it off the highway, they can do that. It allows us to meet a larger customer base.” Beyond real estate, Jollibee’s growth in the U.S. is also fueled by its evolution from a beloved Filipino cultural icon into a brand that’s venturing into the mainstream. While the company remains deeply proud of its Filipino roots, its expansion strategy is&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/jollibee/jollibee-franchise-expansion-2025-north-america-2731072">intentionally focused on welcoming a wider customer base</a> — one that extends well beyond the communities that first embraced the brand.&nbsp;“We’ve seen the brand resonate far outside of just the Filipino customer base,” said Wright. “Great fried chicken has universal appeal, and once people try it, they become fans.”<h2>The Right Partners to Scale the Strategy</h2>Of course, flexibility alone doesn’t drive growth. Jollibee is pairing its real estate adaptability with a deliberate approach to&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/jollibee/why-a-strong-operating-partner-makes-multi-unit-growth-easier-with-jollibee-2731302">franchisee selection</a> — one built around scale, infrastructure and shared values.“The franchisees we award development rights to have to have the financial resources to build a significant number of stores,” Wright said. “They also have to have the operating capabilities, the team and the infrastructure to build that and be able to operate multiple units.”Just as important is alignment. “There are a lot of great developers, but what it comes down to is what is their philosophy? What values do they hold dear and are those aligned with what we are looking for,” Wright said.That focus ensures that as Jollibee grows into new formats and new markets, the brand experience remains consistent.<h2>A Real Estate Strategy Built for What’s Next</h2><a href="https://1851franchise.com/jollibee/inside-jollibees-2026-expansion-plan-the-roadmap-to-150-us-restaurants-2731390#featured">As Jollibee continues its U.S. expansion</a>, its flexible real estate strategy is proving to be more than a tactical advantage. It’s a growth engine — one that allows the brand to move faster, enter smarter and reach customers wherever demand exists.By designing the model around people rather than prototypes, Jollibee is positioning itself to win in both traditional strongholds and the nontraditional markets where the next wave of growth is waiting.For more information on franchising with Jollibee visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/jollibee">https://1851franchise.com/jollibee</a>.

Vice President of Franchising Peter Wright explains how adaptive formats (suburban, urban and end-cap models) are driving the global restaurant brand’s accelerated U.S. expansion.

How Jollibee’s Flexible Real Estate Strategy Is Opening Doors in Nontraditional Markets

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How Much Can You Really Make With a Jollibee Franchise? Inside the Numbers of Item 19

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How Much Does It Cost To Open a Jollibee Franchise? 

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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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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.

What Jollibee Learned From 100+ Corporate Units Before Franchising in the U.S.

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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;

Photo of new Jollibee restaurant location

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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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> 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.

How Jollibee Is Disrupting the QSR Franchise Industry

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