Asian fast-food restaurant set to create 50 jobs with Leicester launch
Asian fried chicken restaurant Jollibee is set to open the doors to its third UK restaurant in Leicester this Friday (November 20) in a move which will create 50 jobs.
The new Leicester restaurant is in a prime location on Humberstone Gate, with a seating capacity of 134.
Over the next 3-5 years, Jollibee intends to open 50 stores in the UK, including in Nottingham.
“We’re pushing forward with our continued growth plan across Europe, as we believe that both the high streets and people’s livelihoods need the support once we come out the other side of this pandemic. I’m proud to say that our Leicester restaurant will create 50 new jobs, supporting the local economy,” said Adam Parkinson, market head of Europe for Jollibee.
Leicester customers can try some of the latest menu items, including – Tropical Chicken Burger, Asian Slaw, Mango Coconut Sundae, Pineapple Juice and Asian Chicken Tender Rice Bowl.
Jollibee was founded in 1978 by Tony Tan Caktiong in the Philippines. The son of Chinese immigrants, he built up his business from humble beginnings, opening a couple of ice cream parlours, then expanding his offering to a selection of hot food. The restaurants were a hit, and by 1985, Jollibee was the market leader in the Philippines’ quick service industry. To this day, Jollibee still outperforms McDonald’s and KFC in the Philippines.
The brand opened its first international restaurant in 1987 and by 1998, had 300 stores globally including its first store in the USA.
Jollibee now has 1,466 stores, 1,185 of which are in the Philippines and 281 in other markets across Asia, Europe, the US and more recently the UK. Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC) also owns other brands including The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Smashburger, Chowking, Mang Inasal, Greenwich Pizza and Red Ribbon. The company also owns the franchise for Burger King Philippines.
Adam Parkinson added: “I am excited to be launching our third Jollibee in the UK, and the second in only the last two months. With its rich history as one of the oldest cities in England, and better known today for its cultural diversity, Premier League winning football team and great universities, Leicester was an obvious choice for us for our first Midlands store”.
