Jollibee Targets Chicago Suburbs for Franchise Expansion

Jollibee is targeting the Chicago area as a key Midwest growth market in 2026, according to a recent article in the Chicago Biz Journal. The Filipino fried chicken chain, which first entered Chicago in 2016, currently operates four company-owned locations across the city and surrounding suburbs.

“Chicago is one of our high-priority markets for Midwest growth in 2026,” said Peter Wright, Jollibee vice president of franchising. “We want to start expanding in concentric circles from our existing locations and explore opportunities in the surrounding suburbs.”

The company’s real estate strategy is flexible, allowing it to perform well across different site types. In suburban markets, Jollibee is prioritizing freestanding locations with drive-thrus, while urban units are more commonly placed in strip centers. Rather than purchasing real estate, the brand prefers leasing but remains open to strong opportunities, whether through new developments or existing spaces.

This Chicago expansion is part of a much larger North American growth plan. Jollibee currently operates 107 locations across the U.S. and Canada and aims to reach 500 locations in North America by 2030. Its push into Chicago suburbs comes amid increased competition, as several other fast-growing restaurant chains are also expanding in the market, highlighting both the opportunity and intensity of the region’s QSR landscape.