Jollibee Buzzes to the Billboard Capital of the World, New York Times Square

Larger than life Chickenjoy Buckets Bring Joy to the Billboards of New York Times Square as Jollibee continues to expand rapidly in North America Homegrown restaurant brand Jollibee joins other global brands in the Billboard Capital of the World, New York Times Square.

TIMES SQUARE, New York. 29 Sept 2022 – After a blockbuster opening in New York Times Square, homegrown restaurant chain Jollibee continues to make waves in the Big Apple with digital billboards now already up at the iconic Times Square in New York, the global epicenter of outdoor advertising.

Three billboards featuring its flagship product–the world-famous Jollibee Chickenjoy fried chicken—are now showing at the heart of Times Square’s famous bowtie. It features two models who, after seeing a piece of the crispylicious and juicylicious Chickenjoy, couldn’t resist a bite and grabbed a piece of the bestselling fried chicken from an adjacent billboard.

In August, Jollibee Chickenjoy was named "the best chain fried chicken in America" by Eater.com. The distinction comes after Jollibee’s Chickenjoy bested over 15 global brands in four rounds of contests across different categories of chicken – from bone-in to fillets, to nuggets. Earlier in July, Jollibee was also recognized as one of the Hottest Brands in America for 2022 by Ad Age, driven by its power to draw huge queues to its restaurants.

Today, Jollibee joins other global brands which have made a presence on the Billboard Capital of the World and is one of the few Filipino brands and personalities who have appeared on a Times Square billboard.

"Taste is Timeless."

The creative execution of the Times Square Billboard features a model on a billboard adjacent to Jollibee’s Chickenjoy billboard who breaks character and grabs a piece of Chickenjoy fried chicken from its bucket after seeing it.

This comes at the heels of Jollibee’s successful debut in Times Square, with over 2500 locals and tourists queueing up on an opening day and consistently outperforming targets.

Alongside its bestselling extra crispy, extra tasty, and juicy Chickenjoy fried chicken, Jollibee Times Square also offers other crowd favorites including the hefty Chicken Sandwich, and Peach Mango Pie, which is made of a crispy and flaky shell filled with real mango and peach.

Jollibee has likewise introduced new offerings into its menu, including a new host of all-beef burgers, salads, and sides that are exclusive to the Times Square location. A notable standout in the exclusive menu is the Jollibee Double Deluxe Burger, which features two 100% beef patties and doubles the melted sharp American cheese.

The Jollibee Times Square store is the brand’s fourth location in New York. This milestone opening is part of Jollibee Group’s goal of expanding its presence in the U.S. and Canada, in line with its vision to become one of the top five restaurant companies in the world. To learn more about Jollibee North America, visit www.jollibeefoods.com.

To learn more about Jollibee Group, its parent company, visit www.jollibeegroup.com

Jollibee Group Foundation reinforces support to smallholder farmers through agri-technology

Since 2019, the PUM Netherlands Senior Experts have guided farmers in soil testing and given them advice on soil health. They have also been assisting in varietal trials to test for better crop varieties, and introduce mechanization to improve productivity.

Together with local and international experts, the Jollibee Group Foundation has been introducing technologically advanced farming techniques and systems to smallholder farmers to empower them to improve their productivity and gain more income.

Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF) continues to support smallholder farmers by providing them access to technologically advanced farming techniques for more sustainable agriculture.

"Improving smallholder farmers’ knowledge and capacity for greater productivity and profit will redound to the continued growth of our agricultural sector," - Gisela Tiongson, JGF Executive Director.

Launched in 2008, JGF’s Farmers Entrepreneurship Program (FEP) empowers and helps smallholder farmers sharpen their technical and business acumen, as well as partnership-building skills. Today, these farmers supply the vegetable requirements used in some Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, and Mang Inasal favorites.

"By becoming more adept and qualified to participate directly in the value chains of food companies, small producers get assured of a regular market, resulting in their increased and steady income," Tiongson added. To reinforce support to smallholder farmers, JGF has adopted public-private partnerships to help farmers gain access to agricultural technologies that increase their yield, reduce farming costs, and make them more competitive in the market.

Weather data, farmer efficiency

Since 2020, the Foundation has partnered with IBM’s The Weather Company for a more accurate community-level, 7-day weather forecast. JGF also worked with the Central Luzon State University to interpret the weather data and translate it into the prescribed farm practice for the day. The information is then shared in a private messaging group for faster dissemination among the farmers. The SMS feature of this system is now being developed for easier access.

The Onion and Vegetable Producers Cooperative (OVEPCO) farmers from Barangay Tabulac in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija were among the first to benefit from this system. Through the barangay-level forecasts provided, the farmers can adapt and better decide when to plant, fertilize, and harvest their crops.

"It has been helpful. Now we can prepare for what will happen tomorrow. It has become a guide for our daily farming," shared Eddie Soriano, OVEPCO Chairman.

This project currently supports 116 farmers in 12 barangays in San Jose City, Nueva Ecija and Alcala, Pangasinan.

Healthy soil, healthy production

In partnership with the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Soils and Water Management, JGF ventured into studying soil samples and providing practical recommendations to make the soil healthier and more viable for greater yield.

To help farmers improve their crops, JGF worked with the PUM Netherlands Senior Experts, various seed companies, and Jollibee Group’s own Research and Development team to find appropriate onion and bell pepper varieties that will meet the company’s requirements, and which can be more easily produced by the farmers.

Together with the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture, JGF is also looking into further increasing the productivity of onion farms. Called "Project SAYA" or Strengthening Agricultural Yield of Allium Cepa L. (Onion) in the Philippines, the project aims to help increase onion production by addressing inefficiencies, gaps, and factors affecting the level of production; as well as to identify potential and suitable areas for expansion.

"These agri-technology efforts are creating a ripple effect of empowerment and opportunities among our partner farming communities and institutions. They have reported greater knowledge on farming techniques, increased yield and income, and the confidence to transact with market players," said Tiongson. "JGF will sustain these efforts so that farmer entrepreneurs can continue to gain greater pride in their profession and to reap the benefits of sustainable agriculture."

Jollibee cited by Ad Age as one of hottest brands in America

Homegrown Restaurant Chain Jollibee has been named one of America’s Top 20 Hottest Brands in 2022 by Ad Age.

NEW YORK, USA 2 August 2022 – Global media company, Ad Age, has named Jollibee one of America’s Top 20 hottest brands in 2022.

In an article titled "Jollibee Draws Endless Lines as U.S. Demand Surges—Fans Rally 'It’s Our Turn' on Social Media," Ad Age shares that Jollibee offers a "unique combination of flavors" compared to its rivals.

"Last year, Jollibee’s entrance into the notorious chicken sandwich wars helped cement the brand’s place among competitors. As new stores with endless lines appear throughout the U.S., fans have been spreading the rallying cry, "It’s our turn!" on social media in hopes of getting the chain to come to their own town," wrote Yadira Gonzalez of Ad Age.

"To be named among America’s Top 20 Hottest Brands is a great honor. Everywhere we open, we are greeted with incredible warmth and enthusiasm from the local community. We dedicate this recognition to them and our people who continue to live our mission of bringing the joy of eating to everyone."

- Maribeth dela Cruz, Jollibee Group’s President for Philippine Brands (Jollibee, Chowking, and Red Ribbon) in North America

Ad Age highlights 20 brands, people, and services from various categories creating a buzz among consumers. Together with Jollibee, on Ad Age’s list are other brands from the beauty and skincare, beverages, and sports and apparel categories. Its editorial committee discusses and decides on which brands would be fit for the list.

Now with 83 locations across North America and over 1,500 restaurants worldwide, Jollibee is on a mission to continue growing its presence in the U.S. and Canada, with plans to grow to 500 stores in the next five to seven years.

Jollibee Group and Yoshinoya International hold partnership ceremony

The Jollibee Group welcomed Yoshinoya International executives in a Partnership Ceremony on June 25 to celebrate their collaboration that will bring the authentic Yoshinoya Japan beef bowl experience to the Philippines.

The Jollibee Group and Yoshinoya International hailed its partnership in a ceremony that culminated in a beef bowl toast led by Jollibee Group President & CEO Ernesto Tanmantiong (front row, 3rd from left), Asia Yoshinoya CEO Tetsuya Naruse (front row, 4th from left), Jollibee Group President for Philippine Business Joseph Tanbuntiong (front row, 2ndfrom left), and Jollibee Group Chief Real Estate and Design Officer William Tan Untiong (back row, 3rd from left).

Yoshinoya, Japan’s world-famous Beef Bowl Chain, is the first foray into Japanese food by the Jollibee Group. Jollibee Foods Corporation formed a joint venture with Yoshinoya International Philippines Inc. (“Yoshinoya International”) to operate the Yoshinoya stores in the country, with plans to expand to 50 stores in the long term.

The Yoshinoya International executives who attended the private ceremony were Tetsuya Naruse, CEO of Asia Yoshinoya International Sdn Bhd (“Asia Yoshinoya”); Shigekazu Miyata, President of Yoshinoya International; and Shigeo Kurokawa, Director of Yoshinoya International.

During the partnership ceremony, Asia Yoshinoya CEO Tetsuya Naruse hailed its partnership with the Jollibee Group. "In the history of Yoshinoya, I can say that we have never encountered a company such as yours. I’ve met the best partners we could work with and I’m really looking forward to this partnership."

"We would like to thank Yoshinoya International for partnering with Jollibee Group. Together, under Yoshinoya Jollibee Foods Inc., we will grow and expand Yoshinoya in the Philippines. We will work hard to make it the No. 1 Japanese restaurant in the country," - Joseph Tanbuntiong, President of Philippine Business of the Jollibee Group.

In a disclosure released in February 2021, the Jollibee Group said it aims to be the leading market developer of foreign restaurant brands in the country, as these foreign franchised brands are expected to contribute to the sustainable growth of its domestic business. Jollibee Group continues to see the success of brands like Burger King, Panda Express, and PHO24 and will apply the same success drivers in expanding Yoshinoya.

Partnership for success

Like the humble beginnings of the Jollibee Group, Yoshinoya started as a family-run shop located at Nihonbashi Fish Market in Tokyo. Today, Yoshinoya has more than 2,000 global locations.

"Our dreams to make it big one day in our respective markets have driven Yoshinoya and the Jollibee Group to continuously work hard and always strive for excellence," said Tanbuntiong. "With similar values and a true love for great tasting food, we see a strong foundation for success in this partnership."

"I met Jollibee Group Founder and Chairman Tony Tan Caktiong, and after our conversation, I concluded that there is no other company that we would like to do this partnership with. And although some years have passed since then, we have reached this moment today and it’s all thanks to all your efforts," added Naruse.

"Part of who we are in Yoshinoya Holdings is being For the People, which means reaching as many people as possible with our tasty and value-for-money food—this is also what the Jollibee Group is all about. I look forward to working well together and I commit that we in Yoshinoya will give our full support to the Jollibee Group," he added.

Now ready to serve the same superior tasting and authentic Japanese Beef Bowls, Yoshinoya is set for its grand opening slated this July.

About Jollibee Group

Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC, also known as Jollibee Group) is one of the fastest-growing restaurant companies in the world. It operates in 34 countries, with over 6,200 stores globally with branches in the Philippines, United States, Canada, the People's Republic of China, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Vietnam, Brunei, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Egypt, Panama, Malaysia, South Korea, and India.

Jollibee Group has eight wholly-owned brands (Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal, Yonghe King, Hong Zhuang Yuan, Smashburger); six franchised brands (Burger King, Panda Express, PHO24, and Yoshinoya in the Philippines; Dunkin' and Tim Ho Wan in certain territories in China); 80% ownership of The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf; 60% ownership in the SuperFoods Group that owns Highlands Coffee and PHO24; and 51% ownership of Milksha, a popular Taiwanese bubble tea brand.

Jollibee Group, through its subsidiary Jollibee Worldwide Pte. Ltd. (JWPL) owns a 90% participating interest in Titan Dining LP, a private equity fund that ultimately owns the Tim Ho Wan brand. It also has a joint venture with the THW Group to open and operate THW restaurants in Mainland China. Jollibee Group also has a business venture with award-winning Chef Rick Bayless for Tortazo, Mexican fast-casual restaurant business in the United States.

Jollibee Group was named the Philippines' most admired company by the Asian Wall Street Journal for ten years. It was also honored as one of Asia's Fab 50 Companies and among the World's Best Employers and World’s Top Female-Friendly Companies by Forbes. In 2020, Gallup awarded the Jollibee Group with the Exceptional Workplace Award, making it the first Philippine-based company to receive the distinction.

Jollibee Group has grown brands that bring delightful dining experiences to its customers worldwide, thus spreading the joy of eating to everyone.

To learn more about Jollibee Group, visit www.jollibeegroup.com