Jollibee named among world's top food chains

MANILA, Philippines - New York-based Travel+Leisure magazine has named Jollibee, the Philippines’ all-time favorite quick-service restaurant, as one of the “Best fast food chains in the world” in its May 2012 issue.

The homegrown fastfood chain made it to the list alongside England’s Pret a Manger, Russia’s Teremok, Taiwan’s Din Tai Fung, Puerto Rico’s El Mason Sandwiches, Japan’s Ippudo, Australia’s Chocolateria San Churro, and Brazil’s Giraffas, among others.

“Fastfood gets a Filipino twist at this quick-serve chain, which is so beloved that its mascots star in their own children’s television show,” said author Jamie Feldmar in the article.

“There are more than 700 locations across the country, serving anything from fried chicken and hamburgers to local favorites like palabok, rice noodles with meat sauce, shrimp and hard-boiled egg.”

Feldmar also recommends the “Spicy Chickenjoy, fried chicken coated with chili powder” to first-time diners.

Apart from Chickenjoy, Jollibee also became a household name in the Philippines for its Jolly Spaghetti, Palabok Fiesta, Yumburger, and Peach Mango Pie, among other treats.

Starting as a two-branch ice cream parlor in 1975, it grew into what is now the largest and most popular fast food chain in the country.

Jollibee is the largest fast food chain in the Philippines, operating a nationwide network of more than 750 stores.

The company has also embarked on an aggressive international expansion plan, and currently has 79 stores outside the Philippines – including USA, Vietnam, Brunei, Hong Kong, Qatar and Kuwait.