Jolibee is not just a restaurant chain. It is an institution, a source of national pride, and the taste of home for millions of Filipinos. When you start talking about countries with Jolibee, you are really talking about the Filipino diaspora. The smiling bee has become a global symbol of how far Filipino culture has travelled.
It all began in Quezon City in 1978 when Tony Tan Caktiong decided that an ice cream shop could do more business if it sold hot meals. That small tweak created the modern Jolibee. By the early 1980s, Jolibee had already overtaken McDonalds in the Philippines. It built its empire on sweet-style spaghetti, crispy Chickenjoy, and Yumburgers that taste more like comfort food than fast food.
Now the brand has over 1,600 stores in the Philippines and hundreds more abroad. Jolibee is the biggest and most powerful restaurant chain to ever come out of Southeast Asia. And the story is far from over.
The Jolibee Story
Jolibee did not start as a global empire. It began in 1978 in Quezon City as an ice cream parlor run by Tony Tan Caktiong. The clever twist came when he realized hot meals sold faster than ice cream. A small menu of burgers, spaghetti, and fried chicken eventually turned into a full-blown fast food operation. By the early 1980s, Jolibee was already outpacing McDonalds in the Philippines, proving that local taste beats imported ideas every time. The secret was simple: understand the Filipino palate. Sweet-style spaghetti, Chickenjoy with its perfectly crispy skin, and Yumburgers that are more comfort than fast food became national obsessions.
Expansion followed quickly. Franchises popped up across the Philippines, first in malls, then in provincial towns, gas stations, and even airports. Jolibee Foods Corporation then acquired or built other brands like Mang Inasal, Chowking, Greenwich, and Red Ribbon, turning a single store into a multi-brand powerhouse.
By the 1990s and 2000s, Jolibee set its sights overseas, targeting countries with large Filipino populations. Today it operates in the United States, Canada, the Middle East, and Asia. From a single ice cream shop in Quezon City, Jolibee became a global symbol of Filipino pride, nostalgia, and unmistakable spaghetti!
List of Countries with Jolibee
The Philippines
Home turf. There are more than 1,600 Jolibee outlets across the Philippines, from Laoag in the far north to General Santos in the south. You can find them in every city, airport, bus terminal, and gas station. The brand owns more than 30 percent of the fast food market. In the Philippines, Jolibee is life.
Jolibee in the United States
The first American Jolibee opened in Daly City, California in 1998. It was an obvious choice since Daly City has one of the largest Filipino populations in the country. It instantly became a pilgrimage site. Today there are over 80 Jolibee stores across the United States. California, Texas, Hawaii, Nevada, New York, and Illinois lead the way. Americans are slowly discovering the Filipino spaghetti and fried chicken combo, but for most, it remains a comforting slice of home.
Jolibee in Canada
Jolibee landed in Canada in 2016, starting in Winnipeg. People queued for hours in sub-zero temperatures just to get a taste of Chickenjoy. The excitement made international news. Canada now has around 30 outlets spread across Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton, and Calgary. The company plans to double that number as Filipino migration continues to rise.
Jolibee in Saudi Arabia
Jolibee opened in Jeddah in 2008 to serve the massive Filipino workforce. There are now more than 20 stores throughout Saudi Arabia, particularly in Riyadh, Dammam, and Al Khobar. Chickenjoy and rice meals dominate the menu. In Saudi malls, you will always see a Jolibee packed with OFWs on their day off.
United Arab Emirates Jolibee
Dubai got its first Jolibee in 2016, and it was an instant success. Now there are branches across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. Filipinos line up on weekends while curious locals drop in to see what the fuss is about. It is a community hub as much as a restaurant, with long queues during holidays like Independence Day.
Jolibee in Qatar
Jolibee came to Doha around 2010 and quickly became a household name among overseas workers. There are several outlets now across the city. It plays a vital role for the Filipino population, offering familiar food in a foreign land.
Jolibee in Kuwait
Kuwait has been part of the Jolibee world since the early 2010s. The brand operates about a dozen stores in the country, mostly inside large malls and near Filipino neighborhoods. Each one feels like a small piece of the Philippines transplanted into the Gulf.
Jolibee in Oman
Muscat became home to the first Jolibee in Oman in 2016. It did not take long for it to catch on, and more branches soon followed. The expansion here is slower than in Saudi or the UAE, but Jolibee has a steady and loyal customer base.
Jolibee in Bahrain
Bahrain joined the growing list of countries with Jolibee in 2018. There are now multiple outlets in Manama and surrounding areas. It remains a hotspot for Filipino expats who treat it as their go-to comfort stop.
Jolibee Singapore
Singapore first tasted Jolibee in 2013 when the Lucky Plaza outlet opened. It became an instant sensation among domestic workers and overseas families. There are now over 15 branches around the island, including in Changi and Suntec City. Singaporeans have also started warming to Chickenjoy and Jolly Spaghetti. Although it is the expats that make up the majority of clientelle.
Jolibee in Hong Kong
Hong Kong has been one of the most consistent markets for Jolibee. The first branch opened in 1996. Now there are over a dozen outlets in Mong Kok, Central, Tsuen Wan, and other busy districts. On Sundays, entire lines of Filipinas in their Sunday best form outside the stores for their weekend treat. Right next to the best street food in Hong Kong.
Jolibee in Macau
Macau opened its first Jolibee in 2018. It serves casino workers and overseas Filipinos. The market is smaller, but each branch has a steady flow of loyal regulars who crave that familiar sweet and crispy flavor.
Vietnam Vietnam
Vietnam is Jolibee’s biggest overseas success story. The first branch opened in Ho Chi Minh City in 2005, and there are now over 150 outlets across the country. Vietnamese customers have taken to Jolibee in a big way, making it one of the most successful foreign fast food brands in the country.
Malaysia Jolibee
Malaysia joined the Jolibee map in 2022 with the first branch opening in Kuala Lumpur. More outlets are planned in Johor Bahru and Penang. It targets both the Filipino community and Malaysians curious about the unique mix of sweet spaghetti and fried chicken.
Jolibee in Brunei
Brunei has had Jolibee since 1987, making it one of the earliest international markets. It remains beloved to this day and serves as a bridge between Southeast Asian cultures. I visited when exploring Brunei street food.
Jolibee in Indonesia
Jolibee first entered Indonesia in 1991 but left the market a few years later. It returned in 2019 with new management and better understanding of local tastes. There are now several outlets across Jakarta and Bali, and more are planned. This puts them head to head with A&W.
Jolibee Guam
Jolibee has been in Guam since the 1990s. With a large Filipino population and proximity to the Philippines, it thrives here. Chickenjoy is a staple, and every visit feels like a reunion of sorts for locals and Filipinos alike.
Jolibee in the Northern Mariana Islands
Saipan opened its first Jolibee in 1998, catering mainly to Filipino workers. It continues to operate successfully, with the brand being one of the most recognized names on the island.
Jolibee in Italy
Italy became one of the newest countries with Jolibee when it opened its first branch in Milan in 2018. It was so popular that people queued for five hours on opening day. There are now stores in Rome and Milan, both drawing large crowds from Europe’s Filipino community. And YES they serve spahgetti here – FOR SHAME
Spain Jolibee
Spain joined the Jolibee world in 2021 with a flagship restaurant in Madrid. It is especially symbolic, as the Philippines and Spain share deep historical ties. The branch attracts both Filipinos and curious Spaniards who want to see what Filipino fast food looks like.
Jolibee in the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom saw its first Jolibee open in London in 2018, and it has since expanded to Liverpool, Leicester, and Manchester. The company aims to have over 50 stores across Europe by 2026.
Jolibee in South Korea
Jolibee opened in Seoul in 2023, and while it is still early days, it has drawn strong crowds of Filipinos, tourists, and locals. It marks a new era of expansion into East Asia.
Countries that no longer have Jolibee
Jolibee once tried markets that did not work out. Indonesia’s first attempt in the 1990s failed, though it has since returned. Vietnam was slow at first but later became a success. China once had a few outlets in Shanghai and Beijing, but they closed around 2008.
Jollibee has also (apparently) experimented in Papua New Guinea but without any long-term presence. I am still exploring this story, but if it is real then I will be giving it its own article. Another country where the group have invested hevaily, owning brands such as Yonghe King (永和大王):
Jolibee Taiwan was also apparently a thing, but no longer. Jolibee corp are also apprently big investors in Taiwan. This means they will probably also get a franchise at some point.
Where might Jolibee expand next
The next wave of countries with Jolibee will likely include Australia and New Zealand, where large Filipino populations are already calling for it.
There are also plans for more stores across Europe, including France and Germany. Africa and South America remain untapped, but with Jollibee’s aggressive expansion strategy, is it only a matter of time before they take on McDonalds?
The big question here is if they can enter markets that do not have heavy Pinay expat populations. In Vietnam though this has indeed been managed, so in theory at least the future looks bright.