Philippines-based quick-service restaurant giant Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC) is attracting strong interest from large franchise operators in the United States, with several groups looking to open at least 50 stores each as the company accelerates expansion in one of its most important overseas markets.
Speaking during the Philippine Stock Exchange’s Investor Day 2026, Jollibee Group Chief Financial and Risk Officer Richard Shin said the company is seeing rising demand from major multi-unit franchise operators as the brand strengthens its foothold in the rapidly growing US chicken segment. “We’re now getting multi-unit franchises of 50 units and above coming to us,” Shin said.
According to Shin, Jollibee has emerged as the third-largest chicken chain in the United States in terms of annual unit volume (AUV), trailing only Chick-fil-A and Raising Cane’s. AUV measures the average yearly sales generated per store and is considered a key indicator of restaurant performance.
Shin noted that the company is benefiting from strong consumer demand for chicken products at a time when global beef prices continue to face inflationary pressures.
The development marks another milestone in Jollibee’s aggressive global growth strategy. The company currently operates more than 10,000 stores worldwide across multiple brands, with nearly 70 percent of outlets run by franchisees.
JFC has increasingly leaned into franchise-led expansion to accelerate growth while maintaining capital efficiency. According to Shin, the group’s borrowing costs remain significantly lower than the expected returns from opening new restaurants, allowing the company to continue expanding despite inflationary pressures and geopolitical uncertainties, including concerns linked to the Iran conflict.
The company is also seeing existing franchisees evolve from operating single stores to developing multiple outlets, reinforcing confidence in its franchise model.
Beyond the US, Jollibee continues to expand aggressively across international markets. In South Korea, its coffee chain Compose Coffee is expected to open around 360 mostly franchised stores this year alone. The group is also scaling brands such as Tim Ho Wan through franchise and joint-venture partnerships in several overseas markets.
In the United States, however, JFC plans to focus heavily on Southern California, a region viewed as critical for building operational scale and strengthening supply-chain efficiencies. The company has also identified Texas as another major growth market as it deepens its North American presence.
The latest expansion momentum comes amid JFC’s broader plans to strengthen its international business. Earlier this year, the company announced intentions to spin off its international operations and pursue a potential US listing by 2027 as it seeks to unlock further global growth opportunities.Bottom of Form
