President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited a Jollibee branch in Vancouver on Thursday, Canada time, in a stop meant to highlight the growing business, trade, and people-to-people links between the Philippines and Canada.
Marcos and Carney dropped by Jollibee Granville at 833 Granville Street, where they interacted with customers and were introduced to several of the fast-food chain’s signature offerings.
The visit underscored the international expansion of Jollibee Foods Corp., one of the Philippines’ most recognized global brands, as it continues to grow its presence across North America, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.
In Canada, Jollibee is entering a major expansion phase as it marks its 10th anniversary in the country. The company plans to grow to more than 85 locations in the coming years.
The expansion is expected to create jobs for Canadians and Filipinos, strengthen Philippines-Canada economic ties, increase exports of Philippine-made products, and boost Philippine services exports through franchising royalties.
Jollibee’s growth in Canada is also expected to generate thousands of stable jobs across restaurant operations, regional supply chains, and local construction, benefiting both Canadians and members of the Filipino-Canadian community.
The company’s shift to a Canadian franchising model is likewise seen to support local business ownership and empower local enterprises.
The franchising rollout contributes to the Philippines’ trade in services, with royalties earned from franchising recorded as service exports for the country.
Jollibee’s international expansion also supports exports of Philippine agricultural and manufactured products. Signature items such as peach mango pies, ube pie, pineapple juice, and Jollibee gravy are manufactured in the Philippines and exported to Canada.
According to the Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau, Canada is Jollibee’s second-largest export market for Philippine food products, while the fast-food chain consistently ranks among the top exporting enterprises in the Philippines.