Lifestyle

Jollibee Targets 35 Australian Stores as Albanese Visits Manila Branch

Quick Read

What Readers Should Know

Jollibee announced franchise agreements targeting 35 Australian restaurants over five years. The planned rollout covers New South Wales and Victoria.

Key Takeaways

  • Jollibee is preparing to enter Australia.
  • The partners target 35 stores within five years.
  • The rollout covers New South Wales and Victoria.
  • Happy Food Group and Lucky Bee Australia are the franchise partners.
  • Projected investment and employment remain forward-looking estimates.

plans to establish 35 restaurants in Australia over the next five years, following franchise agreements announced during Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s visit to a Manila branch on November 15, 2026.

The expansion will cover New South Wales and Victoria, bringing the Filipino fast-food brand closer to communities in two of Australia’s most populous states.

The Australian Prime Minister’s office confirmed the agreements and the planned entry into the market.

Two partners for the rollout

At the announcement, Jollibee chief executive Ernesto Tanmantiong identified Happy Food Group as the partner for Victoria and Lucky Bee Australia as the partner for New South Wales.

He said the partners aim to open 35 stores within five years, representing an estimated A$60 million investment and approximately 900 jobs. These figures are projections associated with the rollout.

A familiar name for Filipino Australians

For Filipinos living in Australia, the planned restaurants offer access to a brand closely associated with meals shared with family and friends.

Albanese welcomed the investment and highlighted its contribution to employment and the economic relationship between Australia and the Philippines.

His visit also gave the announcement a cultural dimension: a familiar Filipino restaurant becoming part of everyday dining in another country.

The five-year target describes the intended expansion. It does not mean all 35 locations are already operating, and individual opening schedules will depend on the rollout.

Reader Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Australian stores are planned?

The partners aim to establish 35 stores within five years.

Which states are covered?

New South Wales and Victoria.

Who are the franchise partners?

Lucky Bee Australia for New South Wales and Happy Food Group for Victoria.

When was the announcement made?

November 15, 2026, during Albanese’s Manila visit.

Are all 35 restaurants already open?

No. The figure is a rollout target.

About the Author

Introvert, wanderer, blogger, foodie, a hip-hop music writer, and one of the co-founders of a tech start-up company called GigsManila.