Jollibee has entered a new era of growth in North America. After officially launching its United States and Canada franchising program in 2025, the brand — already celebrated globally for serving some of the best fried chicken in the world — is experiencing unprecedented demand from experienced operators. With strong average unit volumes, prime markets still available and a powerful support infrastructure, Jollibee is quickly becoming one of the most compelling franchise opportunities in today’s competitive QSR landscape.

“We’re seeing tremendous momentum,” said Peter Wright, vice president of franchising for Jollibee Group North America. “2026 is going to be an incredibly exciting year for the brand and for our franchise partners.”

Here are the Top 5 Reasons to Invest in Jollibee in 2026, directly from the leader guiding the brand’s next chapter.

1. The Chicken Segment Is Exploding and Jollibee Is Exceptionally Well-Positioned

Few categories in the restaurant industry are as hot as fried chicken. In fact, Wright calls it “the fastest-growing segment in the QSR industry,” and he views this rise not as temporary hype but as a sustained consumer shift.

“Number one is the ever-growing popularity of the chicken segment as a restaurant concept,” Wright said. “Americans love fried chicken. It continues to grow, and we are well-positioned as some of the best fried chicken in the country.”

Jollibee’s Chickenjoy has already earned national recognition — including “America’s Best Fast-Food Fried Chicken” from USA TODAY — and the brand is winning in both heritage and mainstream markets. As more QSR categories saturate, chicken continues to expand, making Jollibee a rare opportunity in a booming space.

2. Strong U.S. Unit Economics: $4.6M Average Unit Volumes

High consumer demand is only part of the story. Jollibee’s financial performance is equally powerful.

These numbers place Jollibee well above many established chicken competitors and major QSR brands. Free-standing stores average annual sales of approximately $4.55 million, while in-line locations average $4.62 million.*

3. Prime Markets Are Still Wide Open

While many major chicken brands have limited territory availability, Jollibee is in an exciting early stage of franchise expansion in North America.

“Some of the very best markets are currently available for franchising, in contrast to other brands that may be limited on markets to develop,” Wright said.

Priority territories include: New York tri-state area, the Southeast, Texas, Chicago, California’s interior markets and major Canadian metros.

Recent wins reinforce this opportunity. The brand opened its first U.S. franchise location in Queens, New York — which has already exceeded expectations — and secured multi-unit agreements in Sacramento, California, and Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas.

For qualified operators, this is a rare chance to secure multi-unit territory in top-tier markets with a global brand.

4. A Proven Global Brand With Cross-Cultural Consumer Appeal

Jollibee’s international success is not just impressive — it’s a major indicator of long-term stability and brand power.

“Jollibee has proven its appeal to consumers across borders and cultures. We are operating in many markets around the world and seeing a lot of success,” Wright said.

Jollibee now has more than 1,700 locations worldwide, including over 100 in North America, and plans to reach 500 stores in the region by 2030. This global momentum translates directly to confidence for franchisees.

Consumers recognize the brand, love the menu and celebrate its joyful, service-first culture — a powerful combination that supports strong unit performance and repeat visitation.

5. A Strong Culture and Unmatched Franchise Support System

Beyond its AUVs and global footprint, Jollibee’s internal culture and support infrastructure are among its greatest assets, Wright says.

This includes: comprehensive training, real estate and site selection guidance, construction and development support, operational systems and tools, Food, Service and Cleanliness (FSC) certification programs, and marketing/brand management resources.

In 2024, 100 percent of Jollibee’s U.S. restaurants achieved FSC certification, with 78 percent earning scores of 90 percent or higher.

What does this mean for franchisees? A consistent, reliable operating model with world-class quality standards.

Who Jollibee Is Looking For in 2026

Jollibee is attracting a surge of interest — but the brand is selective. Its ideal candidates are experienced operators with both vision and capability.

“The ideal franchisee would be somebody looking to scale a substantial business,” Wright said. “Someone with development and operations experience, the capital to fund that development, and aligns with our company values.”

For the right partner, Jollibee presents a rare opportunity: a globally beloved brand in a booming category with high AUVs and prime territory availability.

And Jollibee’s 2025 expansion set the stage for what Wright believes will be a watershed year.

“We’re building tremendous momentum, and the interest we’re seeing confirms that Jollibee is poised for major franchise expansion across North America,” he said. “2026 is set to be a very exciting year.”

To find out more information on costs to buy this franchise, please visit https://1851franchise.com/jollibee.

*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.  See Item 19 of the JBM LLC FDD.