Jollibee North American names new VP of franchising

Jollibee Group North American has a new vice president of franchising.

Peter Wright, a franchise veteran with Starbucks, Panera Bread, McAlister’s Deli, and Nestle, has joined the company and has a goal of establishing 500 units across North American by 2030. Internationally, Jollibee operates 19 brands with over 10,000 stores across 33 countries.

“I first learned of Jollibee through networking with a former colleague from Starbucks,” Wright said. “Like many Americans, even though I had driven by them, I did not know the Jollibee name. When I first visited the restaurants, I was highly impressed by the food quality, the cleanliness of the restaurants and the welcoming staff. The best part is that once someone visits a Jollibee, they love it. There’s a very intense, almost cult-like fan base for this brand.”

The guests’ affinity for the brand, combined with the long history of the business model and its consistent success across varied markets, positions it well for a bright future across the U.S., and Wright says he’s excited to capitalize on this growth potential.

Franchise growth plans

“A core strength of Jollibee is its successful operation of over 100 company-owned units in North America, serving as proof of concept,” he said. “Jollibee has 25 years of operating experience in the United States, which indicates they’ve cracked the code for success in the market. Jollibee offers significant white space across North America for multi-unit operators looking to enter the fried chicken business with a proven concept.”

Jollibee Foods Corporation also known as the Jollibee Group, is one of the world’s fastest-growing restaurant companies. The companies’ portfolio includes nine wholly owned brands (Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal, Yonghe King, Hong Zhuang Yuan, Smashburger and Tim Ho Wan) and five franchised brands (Burger King, Panda Express, Yoshinoya, Common Man Coffee Roasters, and Tiong Bahru Bakery in the Philippines).

The company also has an ownership stakes in other key brands like The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (80%), Compose Coffee (70%), SuperFoods Group that operates Highlands Coffee (60%), and bubble tea brand Milkshake (51%). The Company also has membership interests in Tortazo, LLC, along with Chef Rick Bayless, for Tortazo in the U.S. and has recently invested in Botrista, a leader in beverage technology.

Brand awareness efforts

Referring to Jollibee as “the best franchise opportunity you’ve never heard of,” Wright says he plans to work diligently to raise awareness about the brand and growth opportunity for prospective owners while maintaining a remarkable support structure as new franchisees join the system.

“We’ll participate in industry conferences; seek opportunities on podcasts, social media and business press; and conduct direct outreach to qualified multi-unit operators,” Wright said. “We’re looking to substantially increase our footprint across the United States, and leveraging top-level operators with intimate market experience will allow us to drive that growth while maintaining the Jollibee quality and experience our guests love.”