Franchising

Jollibee adding 45 North American stores over 2 years

Photo: File/provided.

December 4, 2020

Philippines-based fast-food chain Jollibee will add 28 stores to its North American network — 19 in the U.S. and nine in Canada — next year, marking the company's biggest single growth spurt on the continent, according to a news releases.

This pas year was previously the brand's most aggressive North America with 12 stores opening. Additionally, before the end of the year, Jollibee will open five stores across Texas and California and in Toronto for a total 17.

Though the pandemic has delivered challenges across the restaurant industry, Jollibee said it has persevered by focusing on off-premise channels. In April, Jollibee launched delivery via DoorDash.

"We have remained nimble and optimistic, which has led Jollibee to defy expectations amidst an extremely difficult year and experience double-digit sales growth across North America," Maribeth Dela Cruz, president of Jollibee Group North America, Philippine Brands, said in the release. "Make no mistake though, we would not be weathering these hard times without the support of our customers."

This week, Jollibee opened its 21st California location on Mira Mesa Boulevard in San Diego, which has a sizable Filipino community, according to the release. The store is situated in the area's biggest retail hub, near Mira Mesa Mall and in close proximity to the University of California San Diego, the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and Scripps Memorial Hospital.

Later this month, the Toronto, Ontario store will open, followed by one in San Antonio, as well as three in greater Houston.

Globally, the chain, which is the Philippines's largest includes 1,400 stores in the Philippines and more than 240 international branches including 58 in North America.