Jollibee Food Corporation’s flagship brand Jollibee reported record sales growth in the UK market between January and September 2021 as it pursues long-term investment and expansion plans in the region despite the pandemic.
In a statement, the firm said Jollibee’s new stores have contributed significantly to the brand’s strong performance in the UK.
Overall sales grew 417 percent and over 1.3 million pieces of Chickenjoy have been sold since January.
Two weeks into its European Flagship Store opening in London’s West End in the first half of 2021, the brand recorded nearly 14,000 customer visits and sold nearly 62,000 pieces of "Chickenjoy", its well-loved fried chicken.
The store also saw a 51 percent increase in local non-Filipino customers and attracted more Gen Z and millennials from London and beyond, manifesting that Jollibee’s appeal is truly wide and diverse.
Another rising star in Jollibee’s menu is the Chicken Burger, which is the brand’s fastest-growing menu item with sales rising 566.9 percent.
"In one of the hardest years the industry has ever seen, we remain committed to our long-term strategy of investing in Europe, which will help us achieve the vision of becoming one of the top 5 restaurant companies in the world," said Jollibee Europe Business Head Adam Parkinson.
He added that, “We are seeing it pay off with many now able to find a Jollibee as they return to normal lives.”
Since 2020, even at the height of the pandemic and during the lockdown, Jollibee opened eight new stores in the UK Liverpool, Leicester City, London's West End, Cardiff, Leeds, Reading, Newcastle, and Nottingham—at a time when many restaurants were holding back on expansion, and some were forced to permanently close stores.
Jollibee will continue opening more stores as part of its £50 million investment in Europe, of which £30 million is allotted to the UK. The brand will open its doors in more locations across Europe, beginning with Scotland soon.
"It's good to see the success of Jollibee's flagship store in Leicester Square, London and that its future investment plans are on track for at least 30 more stores in the next few years," said Richard Graham, MP for Gloucester and Prime Minister's Trade Envoy to the Philippines.
He noted that, “This is a great example of what the UK market can deliver for the Philippines and other Southeast Asian investors here, while already generating over 600 jobs in its first ten UK stores. It's another welcome chicken flavoured step forward for the UK-Philippines trade and investment.”
"I see Jollibee's entry and expansion in the UK as a win-win proposition for Philippine-UK business," said Michelle Fatima S. Sanchez, Commercial Counsellor and Director, Philippine Trade and Investment Center for the Embassy of the Philippines in the UK.
She added that, “Here's a Philippine company with the means and the gumption to continue investing and growing in a new market during a pandemic. It speaks well of the confidence that Philippine business places in the UK.”
Jollibee is also planning to open several drive-thrus and shopping centeR locations next year. The brand also recently launched its mobile app to further strengthen its customer experience and enhance convenience.