Jollibee Group Stores and Facilities Show Sustained Support for Earth Hour 2024

MANILA, Philippines. 22 March 2024 – Over 4,700 stores and facilities of the  Jollibee Group from the Philippines, China, North America, Europe, Middle East, and Asia will be turning their lights off on Earth Hour this March 23, 2024, in solidarity with over 190 countries to raise awareness about the environmental impact on the planet of climate change.

Jollibee, Mang Inasal, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Panda Express, Yoshinoya, Burger King, and Common Man Coffee Roasters branches in the Philippines, as well as Tim Ho Wan, Yonghe King, and Hong Zhuang Yuan restaurants in China, Highlands Coffee in Vietnam, and Jollibee, Smashburger, and Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf branches in North America and Canada will give an hour for the Earth--from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (local time)- as they will simultaneously turn their lights off including signage and billboards on their facilities. 

Pepot Miñana Jr., Jollibee Group’s Chief Sustainability and Public Affairs Officer, emphasized: “We believe that all actions count in helping ensure a sustainable future. While participating in Earth Hour starts with turning off the lights, it serves a bigger purpose of being a visible and important reminder that we can take deliberate steps to make a profound difference on the planet.”

Energy management priority

Energy Efficiency is one of the major focus areas under the Jollibee Group’s Sustainability Agenda called Joy for Tomorrow. Under this priority area, the Company has set reduction goals and initiatives that are aligned with and contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly “Affordable and Clean Energy” (Goal #7) and “Responsible Consumption and Production” (Goal #12). 

The Jollibee Group has implemented several energy-saving measures in its stores and commissaries to manifest this goal. This year, the Company will continue increasing the total number of solar-paneled stores to 64, on top of solar installations in its facilities.

After powering up an extensive 6,300 solar panel installation in its Canlubang Baking Facility last January, the Jollibee Group's supply chain will mark another milestone by solarizing its two remaining sites, C3 and Jollibee Worldwide Services Logistics, by the second quarter of 2024.

To continuously contribute to the Company's growing sustainable business practices, these manufacturing and logistics sites are targeting to improve its energy reduction further by the end of the year, following their achievement of a 28.2% reduction in energy use ratio in 2023.

Held annually on the last Saturday of March, Earth Hour engages around 190 countries and territories, inspiring millions of people to act and reduce the consumption of natural resources by turning off lights for an hour.

Jollibee Group Strengthens Growth of its Foreign Franchised Brands

Record-Breaking Store Openings. The Jollibee Group opened 23 stores of Burger King in 2022, the highest number of store openings in a single year for Burger King in the Philippines.

The Jollibee Group is focused on strengthening the performance of its foreign franchised brands in the Philippines as part of its growth plans.

“We aim to become the leading market developer of foreign restaurants brands in the country. By leveraging our brand portfolio to provide diverse offerings for various market segments at different price points, and strategically expanding our store network, Burger King, Yoshinoya, and Panda Express are expected to continuously contribute to the sustainable growth of our domestic business,” said Joseph Tanbuntiong, Jollibee Group Country Head for Philippine Business.

Store Openings

As part of the company’s expansion efforts in 2022, Burger King opened 23 stores, which is their highest number of store openings in a year. It also opened its 125th milestone store in 2022 and five Bike ‘n Dine stores located in Shaw Wack-Wack San Juan; Visayas Ave. Quezon City; Vermosa in Imus, Cavite; Alabang-West in Muntinlupa; and Carmona Cavite.

In 2022, the Jollibee Group also relaunched Japan’s world-famous Beef Bowl Chain, Yoshinoya. This is its first ever Japanese food chain, making it a strong addition to the foreign franchised brands currently operated by the company. Yoshinoya serves a beefed-up menu in a newly redesigned contemporary and casual Japanese space headlined by their world-famous gyudon or beef bowl.

Description automatically generated

Successful Relaunch. The Jollibee Group successfully relaunched Yoshinoya in the Philippines with a refreshed store design and menu offering.

Last year, Yoshinoya opened four stores and renovated three existing stores. The Jollibee Group formed a 50-50 joint venture with YIPI—the Philippine subsidiary of Asia Yoshinoya International Sdn. Bhd. and Yoshinoya Holdings Co. Ltd. in June 2021. The said partnership established Yoshinoya Jollibee Foods, Inc., which operates the Yoshinoya stores in the country and plans to expand Yoshinoya’s store network to 50 stores in the long term.

Meanwhile, Panda Express opened ten stores last year, five of which were the first in its host cities—Robinsons Place Ermita in Manila, SM Southmall in Las Piñas, Betterliving in Parañaque, Shell SLT in Muntinlupa, and Greenhills in San Juan. In February 2023, Panda Express opened its first drive-thru restaurant in Asia with the launch of its Sumulong Highway branch. This new location in Marikina City also marks Panda Restaurant Group’s 100th international restaurant. Panda Restaurant Group, Inc. (PRG) and the Jollibee Group formed JBPX Foods, Inc., a joint venture in 2019 to bring the world’s largest American Chinese dining concept in the Philippines.

Milestone Opening. The first drive-thru store of Panda Express in Asia was opened by the Jollibee Group in Marikina City. This also marks the brand’s 100thinternational branch.

Exciting Product Offerings

The Jollibee Group’s thrust with its foreign franchised brands is to bring the authentic experience to Filipinos. Apart from this, the Jollibee Group also provides menu offerings that are either unique to Philippine market or among the best performing for these franchised brands in the region and the world.

On top of its iconic entree, the Original Orange Chicken®, Panda Express introduced Kung Pao Fish last year for the season of Lent. Its Beef Broccoli and Honey Walnut Shrimp are also among the best-selling dishes in the region. Meanwhile, Yoshinoya—with its signature beef bowl—also offered dishes that Filipino foodies can enjoy such as Tempura, Karaage, and desserts like Mochi Matcha Ice Cream and Coffee Jelly.

Burger King Philippines was also acknowledged as having one of the best-in-class launches in Asia for its new product Chicken King. Other exciting new products that guests enjoyed for a limited time last year were Cheese Bites, Plant-Based X-tra Long Chicken, Spicy Chicken King, Spicy Chicken Nuggets, and Truffle Whopper.

For this year, the Jollibee Group is set to open more stores for Burger King, Yoshinoya, and Panda Express. These new store openings form part of the company’s goal to become one of the top five restaurant companies in the world.

“Our thrust is to bring the original experience of these popular brands to the Filipino people. I am confident that with the success of our foreign franchised brands, and with the continued support of their fans, Jollibee Group will succeed in achieving its long-term growth plans,” Tanbuntiong added.

Panda Express® Expands Outside NCR with First Store in South Luzon

MANILA, Philippines. March 23, 2023. –  Panda Express® is finally bringing its signature dish The Original Orange Chicken® outside Metro Manila. The world’s largest American Chinese dining concept has made its way to the Land of the Brave and is opening its first store in Tanza, Cavite on March 24 —marking its first location in South Luzon. 

Panda Express invites all hungry Caviteños and Caviteñas to visit its maiden branch in the province located at SM City Tanza, which will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, to experience the mouth-watering bold flavors of its wok-cooked dishes with Chinese and Sichuan influences. 

“We are thrilled to open our first restaurant in Cavite and in South Luzon as we continue to expand in the Philippines to make it more convenient for our guests to enjoy Panda Express’ world-famous American Chinese dishes,” said Doug Stalgren, Vice President of Panda Express International Business Development. “We can’t wait to welcome our fans on the opening day.”

From entrees to appetizers to sides, Panda Express offers a variety of scrumptious menu choices cooked with fresh, quality ingredients every day that leave its guests wanting for more. Among them is Panda’s  top seller, The Original Orange Chicken, which is prepared with crispy boneless chicken bites wok-tossed in its signature sweet and spicy Orange Sauce. 

In time for Lent, the new branch also offers meat-free options for Christians and Catholics choosing to abstain from eating meat during this period. Some of their meatless options include: 

• Honey Walnut Shrimp: One of its award-winning entrées, this dish is made with large tempura-battered shrimp wok-tossed in a honey sauce and topped with glazed walnuts.

• Savory Shrimp: Another beloved shrimp recipe, this dish is inspired by the flavors of Hunan cuisine. It features premium, juicy shrimp, stir-fried with onions, green beans and bell peppers in a savory sauce that adds a beautiful burst of color, textures, and flavors. 

• Kung Pao Fish: This Sichuan-inspired dish is a close cousin of another classic American Chinese staple, Kung Pao Chicken. It’s a divine combination lightly breaded, crispy boneless fish,a variety of freshly-cut vegetables and peanuts, all tossed in a savory sauce. 

• Eggplant Tofu: A good source of protein, this entrée is made with lightly browned tofu, eggplant, and red bell peppers tossed in a sweet and spicy sauce.

Deals and treats await Panda Express guests with the first 30 customers in line during the opening day able to receive free Panda Bears. Exciting freebies also await those who will visit the Cavite branch via dine-in or take out from March 24 to 26.

Panda Express SM City Tanza is also available for long distance delivery via GrabFood, foodpanda, and order.pandaexpress.com.ph.

Panda Express is also going full speed ahead with its expansion this year with a new drive-thru branch in the pipeline, which is expected to open in Pacita, San Pedro, Laguna next month. This will become the first Panda Express store to have a drive-thru lane in South Luzon. 

For more information about Panda Express®, visit www.facebook.com/PandaExpressPH/ (Facebook) and @PandaExpressPH (Instagram).

In time for the season of Lent, Panda Express got your meat-free menu covered with its Savory Shrimp, Honey Walnut Shrimp, Kung Pao Fish, and Eggplant Tofu. 

# # #

About Panda Express® 

 

On a mission to inspire better lives, Panda Express® is the largest Asian dining concept in the world. Family-owned and operated since 1983 by co-founders and co-CEOs Andrew and Peggy Cherng, Panda Express is best known as a trailblazer for creating a wide variety of industry-first recipes, including its best seller The Original Orange Chicken® and award-winning Honey Walnut Shrimp, which have defined the category of authentic American Chinese cuisine. Each entrée at Panda Express, including the Wok Smart selections, is thoughtfully crafted with quality ingredients, and inspired by bold Chinese flavors and culinary principles. The restaurant brand has more than 2,500 locations and has introduced American Chinese cuisine to twelve international countries. Visit www.facebook.com/PandaExpressPH/ (Facebook) and @PandaExpressPH (Instagram) for more information.