Established
1978
Franchise Units
100
Minimum Investment
$1,600,000
Franchise Fee
$40,000
Total Investment Range
$4,900,000
Home Based
No
Description
Jollibee is one of the world’s most recognizable quick-service restaurant brands, known for its joyful atmosphere, crispy Chickenjoy, and a menu that blends global flavors with comforting nostalgia. In the U.S., the brand has gained extraordinary traction among both the Filipino community and mainstream American diners searching for something fresh, bold, and different from typical fast-food concepts. With its vibrant personality, family-friendly approach, and strong operational systems, Jollibee presents a powerful franchise opportunity for investors looking to bring a high-energy, high-demand restaurant brand to their market.
In the American QSR landscape—where fried chicken dominates consumer demand—Jollibee stands out with its distinct flavor profile, unique menu items, and emotional brand appeal. Backed by decades of global success and a strong corporate infrastructure, the company continues to invest heavily in U.S. expansion. For investors, this combination of brand loyalty, international credibility, and growing U.S. presence makes Jollibee one of the most exciting franchise opportunities in the fast-food category today.
Why Invest in this Franchise?
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High Consumer Demand & Differentiation: Jollibee offers products not found at typical U.S. fast-food chains, giving franchisees a unique competitive edge.
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Backed by a Global Food Giant: The brand operates under Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC), one of the largest and fastest-growing restaurant companies in the world.
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Strong U.S. Momentum: With rapid expansion and increasing brand recognition across major American cities, demand continues to grow year after year.
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Flexible Store Models: Options include standalone with drive-thru, mall food courts, urban storefronts, and non-traditional sites like airports or campuses.
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Resilient, Scalable Business Model: Jollibee provides multiple revenue channels—dine-in, drive-thru, app-based delivery, and catering—which help maximize returns.
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Ideal for Multi-Unit Investors: The brand is actively prioritizing multi-unit development partners, creating long-term growth opportunities for serious operators.
Background
Founded: 1978
Founder: Tony Tan Caktiong
Ownership: Operated under Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC), headquartered in the Philippines.
Origin Story: Jollibee began as an ice-cream shop before evolving into a full fast-food restaurant. Its fast growth in the Philippines led to international expansion.
U.S. Entry: First U.S. location opened in Daly City, California in 1998.
Franchise Active Units : The brand has more than 100 locations across the United States and Canada combined, with aggressive expansion underway.
Industry Category: Quick-Service Restaurant (QSR) focused on fried chicken, burgers, spaghetti, and family-oriented meals.
Market Positioning: Known for its joyful branding, iconic Chickenjoy, and menu offerings that combine comfort food with global influence.
U.S. Strategy: Jollibee is pushing strong nationwide growth with a focus on major metropolitan areas, high-traffic urban zones, and multi-unit development partnerships.
Support Training
Pre-Launch Support
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Assistance with franchise approvals, development agreements, and territory planning.
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Full real-estate and site-selection guidance for high-traffic retail areas.
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Architectural design, construction guidance, and store layout planning.
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Vendor sourcing, equipment procurement, and technology setup.
Operational Training
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Structured, multi-week restaurant operations training for franchise owners and key staff.
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Hands-on training in kitchen operations, food safety, menu execution, staffing and management.
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Customer service and brand experience training to maintain Jollibee’s signature hospitality.
Marketing & Launch Support
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Grand opening planning, local store marketing strategies, and promotional campaigns.
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Access to national advertising, digital marketing assets, and brand guidelines.
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Social media support and community outreach strategies.
Ongoing Support
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Continuous field visits and performance monitoring.
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Updated training modules and new operational standards.
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Supply-chain management, menu innovations, new product rollouts, and technology upgrades.
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Multi-unit support systems for franchisees expanding across multiple territories.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal Jollibee franchisee is:
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Experienced in Restaurant or Multi-Unit Operations: Jollibee prefers operators with proven experience running multi-location restaurants or retail businesses.
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Financially Strong: The U.S. program requires high net-worth individuals or investment groups capable of funding multi-unit development.
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Passionate About Hospitality: Investors who understand customer service, team development, and community engagement thrive with Jollibee.
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Growth-Focused: Candidates ready to commit to developing multiple stores over time.
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Strategic with Real Estate: Ideal partners possess a strong understanding of high-traffic retail sites, drive-thru markets, and family-oriented trade areas.
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Aligned with the Brand: Enthusiastic, positive, community-oriented entrepreneurs who resonate with Jollibee’s joyful brand culture.
Financial Detail
| Category | Amount / Range (USD) |
|---|---|
| Total Investment Required | $1,600,000 – $4,900,000 |
| Minimum Liquid Capital | Typically $2,000,000+ (varies by program) |
| Minimum Net Worth | Typically $5,000,000+ (multi-unit preferred) |
| Franchise Fee | $40,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 5% of Gross Sales |
| Marketing / Advertising Fee | Usually 2%–4% of Gross Sales (brand + local) |
| Technology / System Fees | Approx. 0.25% of Gross Sales |
| Leasehold Improvements | $800,000 – $2,000,000 |
| Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment (FF&E) | $300,000 – $450,000 |
| Soft Costs (Architectural, Permits, Design) | $80,000 – $400,000 |
| Initial Inventory | $20,000 – $35,000 |
| Working Capital (First 3 Months) | $350,000 – $1,270,000 |
| Store Size Requirement | Typically 2,500 – 3,500 sq. ft. (larger for drive-thru) |
| Average Annual Sales (U.S. Free-Standing Stores) | $1.5M – $7.6M+ (varies by site) |
| Break-Even Period | 18 – 36 months (market dependent) |
| Revenue Streams | Dine-in, Takeout, Drive-Thru, Delivery, Catering |