Jollibee to open in Italy, to plant more branches in North America  

Jollibee’s branch in Illinois | Image grabbed from Pinoy-OFW

Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC) is planning to establish its first branch in Europe, particularly in Italy, possibly by 2017.

JFC Group President Jose Miñana Jr. explained that they are planning to push through with this expansion to follow the population of overseas Filipino workers and migrants who are in Italy. “We’re looking at possibly Italy to be our (starting point) in Europe. We’re not in Europe yet. We will follow where the Pinoys are,” Miñana stated.

He is also very positive that the fast food chain will be received well in Italy as there are about 200,000 Filipinos residing in the country – mostly in Rome and Milan.

Jollibee’s first branch in Canada is expected to open in Winnipeg this month, and they’re also already looking into establishing another branch in Ontario to expand its reach to the Filipino community.

JFC is also planning to expand in the United States, having planted branches in 10 states already. By the first quarter of 2017, branches in Florida and Chicago will open, and they are hoping that they will be able to bring Manhattan’s first Jollibee as soon as the paperwork is completed.

As of today, JFC operates 3,221 branches worldwide under the brands Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal, and Burger King. It also opened 201 stores this year (as of September): 133 in the Philippines and 68 abroad.

 

Sources: Philippine Star, Business World