It’s the jolly good news that has fast-food fans abuzz.
Anyone who’s been to the Philippines will know Jollibee. This beloved fast-food chain is all over the country, and is instantly recognisable by its logo of a giant smiling bee in a chef’s hat.
Three years ago, The Philippines Times reported that Jollibee had plans to open its first Australian outpost in Campbelltown, in Greater Western Sydney. But then, nothing.
Is Jollibee coming to Australia?
Was this giant bee merely toying with us, leaving only the sting of disappointment in its wake?
It turns out this might not be the case, with The Philippines Times now reporting that Jollibee has announced plans of an expansion into Australia within the next two years. At the opening of Jollibee’s 200th Vietnam restaurant, Jollibee Group’s regional business head for Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Australia, Dennis Flores, confirmed that the business had been planning to come to Australia “for quite some time now”.
Sydney will still most likely be home to the first Australian Jollibee, with the business currently looking at several potential sites. The initial Campbelltown site reportedly fell through due to “some administrative challenges”. Jollibee is now also looking for potential Australian investors, which could mean the opening of multiple branches.
Related story: Hop in the drive-thru line, McDonald’s just released a Hot Cross Bun Flavoured Pie & McFlurry
What is Jollibee?
Jollibee is a Filipino fast-food chain with a cult following. There are more Jollibees in the Philippines than McDonald’s – more than 1000 Jollibees to McDonald’s 740. It’s possibly the only country where a local chain is more popular than the usually ever-dominant Golden Arches. Filipino McDonald’s restaurants have even copied the Jollibee menu format, offering almost identical menu items, along with McDonald’s regulars. There are also Jollibees in Vietnam, Hong Kong and Macau, Canada and the US, as well as Western Europe and the Middle East.
Related story: KFC fans all aflutter over new menu item that’s as rare as hen’s teeth
What is on the Jollibee menu?
While Jollibee sells burgers – called Yumburgers – these are not the main drawcard here. The most popular menu items are its fried chicken – called Chickenjoy – and its Jolly Spaghetti. While Australians might think it weird for a fast-food chain to sell spaghetti (and Italian nonnas would likely be utterly horrified), Jollibee fans can’t get enough of it. Like many foods in the Philippines, it’s unusually sweet, and comes with chunks of hot dog meat (scusa, Nonna). You can even order it with a side of burger steak with mushroom sauce and rice. The Peach Mango Pie is also a winner.
But it’s the fried chicken that may well really hit the mark with Aussie fast-food fans, and have KFC feeling worried. The crispiness of the skin is truly next-level, making it totally addictive. Is it worth the two-year wait? Jolly well yes.
Related story: McDonald’s birthday parties are back, and yes, there’s cake
Comments
Join the conversation
Log in Register