#United States #Franchise Growth #Jollibee Group #Fast-Food Expansion #Queens, New York

Jollibee Celebrates Remarkable Franchise Momentum in 2025

As the year draws to a close, Jollibee, the beloved global fast-food chain renowned for its crispy fried chicken, is marking an impressive milestone in its franchise expansion journey across the United States and Canada. This year has proven significant for the brand, with the launch of its franchising program yielding notable results, reflecting a strong interest from prospective franchisees eager to join the Jollibee family.

The rapid expansion can be attributed to a strategic pivot from a corporate-owned model to a more hybrid approach, allowing for collaboration with qualified franchise partners. According to Peter Wright, the Vice President of Franchise Development for Jollibee Group North America, the interest garnered since the program's launch in March has been overwhelming. The highlights of the year include the opening of Jollibee's very first U.S. franchise restaurant located in Queens, New York, signaling a forthcoming era of franchised outlets for the iconic brand.

“This initial franchise location has exceeded expectations,” Wright noted. “The franchisee has reported strong performance and is looking to open more locations, setting a precedent for future success across the Jollibee system.”

Further establishing its footprint, Jollibee also welcomed a new franchisee in Staten Island and secured multi-unit development agreements in key growth areas, namely Sacramento and Dallas-Fort Worth. These developments signify the brand's commitment to penetrating high-growth markets in North America.

High demand from experienced franchise operators has been a defining element of this expansion phase. Jollibee's increasing mainstream popularity, combined with its cult-favorite menu offerings and impressive average unit sales, has made franchise ownership appealing. The average annual sales for free-standing Jollibee locations stand at approximately $4.55 million, with inline locations performing slightly better at about $4.62 million.

In addition to its franchise expansion, Jollibee continued to open company-owned restaurants in strategic locations throughout the U.S., fortifying its brand presence while streamlining its support model for franchisees. “We’re committed to enhancing our operational frameworks to ensure every restaurant—be it corporate or franchise—meets the high standards our customers expect and deserve,” noted Wright.

Jollibee’s aspiration is to emerge as one of the world’s top five restaurant companies, a goal that aligns with its plans to expand to 500 locations in North America by 2030. In fact, Jollibee currently boasts over 1,700 locations globally, with more than 100 situated in North America.

The experiences gained through this year's franchise openings have allowed Jollibee to refine its support system, ensuring that franchise partners are offered the training, resources, and operational support necessary to thrive in a competitive market. Wright highlighted the brand's commitment to real-time learning: “We are discovering what our franchisees need to ensure a successful venture. By validating our systems and reinforcing best practices, we are creating a solid framework for future locations.”

With rigorous standards for food, cleanliness, and service that all U.S. Jollibee restaurants adhere to, the brand has maintained a stellar track record for quality, further enhancing its reputation. Franchisees receive extensive training and resources to provide customers with the joy and satisfaction that Jollibee stands for globally.

Looking ahead, Jollibee is focused on accelerating multi-unit growth and entering new markets while continuing to engage partners who align with its high standards and reputation for community engagement. Wright concluded with an optimistic outlook, stating, “This year is only the beginning. The momentum we've built paves the way for exciting opportunities in 2026 and beyond.”

As Jollibee continues to enrich the fast-food landscape, its commitment to quality food and customer satisfaction positioned it strongly for the coming years, celebrating not just a successful year but also a bright future ahead.

For those interested in joining the Jollibee family, there has never been a better time to capitalize on the growing appeal of this fast-food favorite that’s beloved by many across North America.