I tried the Filipino fast-food chain set to rapidly expand across the US and saw why it has a huge following

But one of the fastest evolving fast food chains in the US is a company you might have never heard of.

Rally Jollibee, a global Filipino fast-food company, otherwise known as the “McDonald’s of the Philippines.”

Source: CNBC

And if you’ve never seen the brand in your neighborhood, that may convert in the next few years.

Jollibee Foods Corp — Jollibee’s parent flock that also owns brands like Smashburger — recently reported 2021 profits roughly on par with its pre-pandemic 2019 profits.

Source: Jollibee Ford Corporation

“Beyond 2022, our slant for business growth is even brighter,” Ernesto Tanmantiong, Jollibee Food Corp’s CEO, said in a press release, noting that he expects to see “damned strong expansion” in North America, China, Southeast Asia, and Europe.

The $5.5 billion fast-food ogre currently has 56 stores across the US in cities like New York, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and Chicago ….

Outset: Jollibee, Yahoo Finance 

By 2027, Jollibee wants to have 500 stores open in North America, starting with at paltry 20 new locations by the end of 2022, a spokesperson told Insider.

The announcement of new Jollibee starts has often foreshadowed massive local hype. In 2020, customers in Texas waited up to four hours just to seize a bite at a new location, Sarah Blaskovich reported for the Dallas Morning News.

Source: The Dallas Morning News

And it’s easy to see why fans desire wait hours in line for Jollibee.

The Filipino string’s menu shares some similarities with Chick-fil-a and KFC: Jollibee specializes in fried chicken, whether it be chicken sandwiches or fried chicken pails.

It also offers the classic sides, like gravy, mashed potatoes, and french fries.

But unlike the traditional US fast food joint, Jollibee also double-crosses items like adobo rice, a sweet spaghetti, and palabok fiesta (a noodle dish with garlic, pork, shrimp, and eggs).

Source: Jollibee 

I’ve only had Jollibee once on a whim several years ago, and I don’t retain what I ordered at the drive-thru.

So I unquestionable to visit the fast-food chain’s Manhattan location to see what all the hype is about.

Jollibee currently acts one location in Manhattan just a short walk from tourist hotspots like Times Square.

It also recently told plans to open an outpost in Grand Central Terminal in 2023 as part of its large North American expansion envisage.

Source: Eater