Jollibee named 'best fast food fried chicken' in the US for third straight year

Jollibee named 'best fast food fried chicken' in the US for third straight year

Brooke Villanueva
Philstar Life
20 July 2026

Here's some news that could trigger your next Chickenjoy craving...

Jollibee has again claimed the top spot on USA TODAY's list of "Best Fast Food Fried Chicken" in America for the third consecutive year. The annual rankings were determined through public voting among its readers for the publication's 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. 

"With around 100 stores in North America and more than 1,700 stores internationally, Jollibee is the largest and fastest-growing Asian restaurant company in the world. They're best known for Chickenjoy, the signature juicy, flavorful fried chicken. Order it in buckets or accompanied by sides—and don't forget to dip it in their silky gravy," its description read.

In a statement sent to PhilSTAR L!fe, Ernesto Tanmantiong, Global President and CEO of the Jollibee Group, described the recognition as "meaningful."

"It reflects the consistency of the quality, taste, and customer experience that we work hard to deliver with every serving in Chickenjoy,” he said. "It gives us even greater confidence in Jollibee’s ability to deepen customer trust and brand love in more markets, as we continue bringing the products and experiences that have made our brand a source of joy for many families."

For her part, Maribeth dela Cruz, President of Jollibee Philippine Brands North America, expressed her gratitude to the USA TODAY readers for the recognition, saying it "reflects the dedication of our teams who prepare and serve Chickenjoy every day, helping ensure a joyful and satisfying experience with every visit."

Dela Cruz added that the feat inspired them "to keep delivering the Jollibee experience people love, while introducing it to even more customers across North America and beyond."

Jollibee now has around a hundred stores in North America and over 1,800 branches globally.

The USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards puts the spotlight on standout destinations, restaurants, attractions, and travel experiences in different parts of the US. 

Jollibee advanced to the fifth spot in global ranking of the world’s strongest restaurant brands

Jollibee rises as 5th strongest restaurant brand worldwide

Richmond Mercurio
Philstar Global
26 February 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Homegrown fast-food chain Jollibee has emerged as the fifth-strongest restaurant brand worldwide, based on a new report by brand valuation consultancy firm Brand Finance.

Jollibee advanced to the fifth spot in global ranking of the world’s strongest restaurant brands for 2026 from ninth place in 2025, with its brand strength index improving to 87.9/100 from 83.9 the previous year.

Jollibee, which is the flagship brand of Asian food conglomerate Jollibee Foods Corp., remained the Philippines’ sole representative among the world’s 25 most valuable restaurant brands and is the only Philippine and Southeast Asian brand included in the global ranking.

Ernesto Tanmantiong, Jollibee Group global president and chief executive officer, said the recognition reflects the brand’s rising global competitiveness and equity.

“Being ranked among the world’s strongest restaurant brands by Brand Finance signals that Jollibee is winning in superior taste and strengthening consumer preference across markets. It reflects the trust we have built, the disciplined execution of our teams and the growing power of our brand,” Tanmantiong said.

Brand Finance reported that Jollibee’s brand value rose by 32 percent to $3.3 billion in 2026, placing it 18th among the world’s 25 most valuable restaurant brands.

As the only Philippine and Southeast Asian brand in the global ranking, Brand Finance said Jollibee’s performance underscores the ability of home-grown brands to compete internationally through disciplined execution while sustaining strong brand equity and expectations for future earnings.

Jollibee’s continued expansion across Asia, North America and the Middle East has strengthened long-term growth visibility while preserving brand leadership in its core market.

Philippines tops disaster preparedness

Filipinos most disaster-ready

Manila Times

Associated Press 

16 August 2024

THE Philippines tops a list of 142 countries in disaster preparedness, a recent global survey showed, with the highest proportion of households — 84 percent — having a disaster plan.

This was higher than Vietnam (83 percent), Cambodia (82 percent), Thailand (67 percent) and the United States (62 percent), the survey by Gallup for the Lloyd's Register Foundation showed.

The level of preparedness is not surprising, since no country ranked higher than the Philippines for having experienced a natural disaster in the last five years, with 87 percent of respondents saying they had.

Southeast Asia is among the regions most prone to natural disasters, but a new analysis released Thursday showed its people also feel the best equipped to deal with them.

It seemed logical that the countries in and around the Pacific Ring of Fire, vulnerable to earthquakes, typhoons, storm surges and other dangers, are also the best prepared, but the survey by Gallup for the Lloyd's Register Foundation showed that's not always the case in other regions.

"Frequent exposure to hazard isn't the only factor that determines how prepared people feel," Benedict Vigers, a research consultant with Gallup, said.

The report found the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) played a key role in disaster risk reduction, and Vigers said the region's wider approach includes widespread and effective early-warning systems, scaled-up community approaches and regional cooperation, and good access to disaster finance.

"Southeast Asia's success in feelings of disaster preparedness can be linked to its high exposure to disasters, its relatively high levels of resilience — from individual people to overall society, and the region's approach to — and investment into — disaster risk management more broadly," he said.

Forty percent of people surveyed in Southeast Asia said they had experienced a natural disaster in the past five years, while a similar number — 36 percent — in Southern Asia said the same. But 67 percent of Southeast Asians felt among the best prepared to protect their families and 62 percent had emergency plans, while Southern Asians felt less ready, with 49 percent and 29 percent respectively.

Respondents from North America, which is significantly less disaster-prone than Southeast Asia, said they only felt slightly less prepared, while those in Northern and Western Europe were in the middle of the pack.

The results from Southeast Asia, primarily made up of lower-middle-income countries, suggest wealth is not a deciding factor in disaster response and preparation, said Ed Morrow, senior campaigns manager for Lloyd's Register Foundation, a British-based global safety charity.

Southeast Asia is "a region that clearly has much to teach the world in terms of preparing for disasters," he said.

The data were drawn from the World Risk Poll, conducted every two years, with the main results from the 2023 survey published in June. Questions on disasters focused on natural hazards instead of conflicts or financial disasters, and excluded the coronavirus pandemic.

Surveys were conducted of people ages 15 and above in 142 countries and based on telephone or face-to-face conversations with about 1,000 or more respondents in each country with the exception of China, where some 2,200 people were contacted online.

The margin of error ranged from plus or minus 2.2 to 4.9 percentage points, for an overall 95 percent confidence level.

"It is our intention that this freely available data should be used by governments, regulators, businesses, NGOs and international bodies to inform and target policies and interventions that make people safer," Morrow said.

PH tourist arrivals may exceed pre-pandemic level in 2025

BMI: PH tourist arrivals to surpass pre-pandemic level in 2025

By Kris Crismundo

Philippine News Agency

24 June 2024

MANILA – Fitch Solutions’ unit BMI has forecast that tourist arrivals in the Philippines next year may exceed the 8.2 million visitors before the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a commentary released Monday, BMI projected a 32.6-percent increase in tourist arrivals this year to reach 6.6 million from 5 million arrivals in 2023.

“The 2024 arrivals will be at 81 percent of the pre-pandemic level in 2019 (8.2 million arrivals),” it said.

It added that with the 1.6 million visitors in the first quarter of the year, this indicates that post-pandemic recovery is underway.

“We forecast the Philippines’ arrivals to continue to increase over the remainder of our medium-term forecast period, fully recovering in 2025 as they reach 8.3 million, rising above the pre-pandemic level in 2019,” BMI said.

By 2028, the Philippines is expected to attract 9.4 million tourists, or growing by 14 percent annually from 2024 to 2028.

“We expect arrivals growth to be driven by key source markets in Asia-Pacific, North America and Europe,” BMI said.

In the first quarter of 2024, top sources of foreign visitors are South Korea, the United States, China, Japan, and Australia.

“While we have a positive outlook for Philippines’ arrivals, there are short-term risks stemming from high living costs in many markets globally, and tighter credit conditions which will weigh on consumer spending, particularly on nonessential categories such as travel,” it added. (PNA)

Philippines air travel soars in Q1

Philippines air travel soars in Q1

Story by Elijah Felice Rosales
Philstar Global
25 May 2024

MANILA, Philippines — Air travel in the Philippines maintained its upward trend in the first quarter, lifted by the recovery of the international market and the consistency of the domestic demand.

According to data from the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), the international passenger volume went up by 83 percent to 6.97 million between January and March from 3.8 million a year ago.

CAB said foreign airlines made up 54 percent of the demand at 3.74 million, while local carriers served the other half at 3.22 million.

Among domestic players, flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) sustained its mastery of the international segment, flying 1.45 million travelers during the period. However, low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific is closing the gap with PAL, serving 1.37 million passengers in its network.

Before 2023 ended, Cebu Pacific started offering Manila flights to Da Nang, allowing it to cover all corners of Vietnam, including Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh.

PAL, for its part, is leaning on its US routes to maintain leadership in the international market.

In October, PAL will mount direct flights between Manila and Seattle, opening its sixth route to the US and its eighth destination in North America.

Meanwhile, Cebu Pacific, together with its regional subsidiary Cebgo Inc., is keeping a tight grip on domestic demand.

OFWs: Boon or Bane on Philippine economy?

Highly educated Filipinos as OFWs: A double-edged sword for PH

Story by Cristina Eloisa Baclig
Inquirer.net
09 May 2024

MANILA, Philippines—In a world that’s constantly on the move, the Philippines has carved out a unique position as a powerhouse in the export of skilled labor. Every year, waves of Filipinos pack their bags to set out across the globe, driven by the pursuit of brighter futures and better opportunities.

This mass migration, while opening doors for many, wields a double-edged sword: it propels Filipino talent onto the world stage, filling crucial roles in international industries, yet it simultaneously strains the local workforce, especially in critical sectors such as health care and education.

These workers, known as Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), are not just employees abroad; they are the lifeline of their homeland. Their remittances are the financial bedrock for countless families and a vital cog in the machinery of the Philippine economy.

However, this exodus of talent also brings to light the concerning issue of ‘brain drain,’ leaving the nation in a perpetual struggle to replenish its pool of professionals.

This phenomenon is reshaping the Filipino identity on the global map, striking a balance between loss and gain, between the home left behind and the promise of the world beyond.

Highly educated workers leave PH

Despite its relatively small population of just over 100 million, the Philippines has made a significant impact on the world’s skilled workforce. With an impressive 1.89 million highly educated Filipinos residing in OECD countries, the country ranks third in the world for having the largest educated diaspora, falling behind only India with 3.12 million and China with 2.25 million.

The significance of the country’s contribution to the global pool of skilled workers becomes even more pronounced when considering the country’s much smaller population compared to India and China, both of which have populations exceeding a billion. India’s population stands at approximately 1.325 billion, while China’s is around 1.379 billion.

However, this success story is not without its challenges. The country faces a critical issue: a high percentage of its highly educated workforce is emigrating abroad.

In recent years, the number of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) has continued to grow, with data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showing a steady increase from 1,825,000 in 2021 to 1,963,000 in 2022. These numbers represent a significant proportion of the country’s workforce, engaging in a diverse array of occupations across the globe.

Of the Filipinos returning from overseas, data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) revealed that 49.6 percent have some college education or higher, reflecting the level of education many choose to take abroad.

This phenomenon is more pronounced in the Philippines compared to countries like India, where the emigration rate of educated individuals is minimal despite its vast population. This raises concerns about the sustainability of the country’s workforce development.

It is essential to note that while other countries like the United Kingdom (1.75 million), Germany (1.47 million), Poland (1.20 million), Mexico (1.14 million), and Russia (1.06 million) also supply skilled migrants, the situation in the Philippines is particularly striking.

The country’s departure of a significant portion of its skilled and educated workforce highlights its crucial role in the global marketplace. It also underscores the potential challenges to its workforce development and sustainability.

Where OFWs go

According to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) for 2022, Asia remains the predominant destination for OFWs, accounting for 80.8 percent of the Filipino workforce abroad. This substantial proportion reflects the longstanding ties and geographic proximity that facilitate labor migration within the region.

The Middle East is another crucial employment hub, with Saudi Arabia hosting 23.0 percent of OFWs alone. The United Arab Emirates and Kuwait also significantly contribute, with 13.7 percent and 7.7 percent respectively.

These regions depend on the diverse skill set of OFWs, particularly in sectors such as health care, construction, and domestic services, where their hard work and adaptability are highly valued.

In addition to Asia and the Middle East, other parts of the world also draw Filipino talent. Europe accounts for 9.0 percent of OFWs, while North and South America collectively make up 6.3 percent, with countries like the United States and Canada becoming increasingly popular due to higher wages, better living conditions, and opportunities for family reunification.

These nations, known for their multicultural makeup, provide a supportive environment for Filipinos, helping to foster a sense of community and belonging far from home.

This significant presence of OFWs across various regions highlights their integral role in the global workforce. It sets the stage for a deeper exploration into the impact of their financial contributions, mainly through remittances, on both their host countries and the Philippines.

Rising remittances

In 2023, remittances from OFWs continued to play a pivotal role in the Philippine economy, highlighting the significant financial contributions of Filipinos working abroad.

According to data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), remittances reached an all-time high, with cash remittances alone amounting to $33.491 billion for the year. This marked a growth of 2.9 percent over the previous year, underscoring the resilience of OFWs’ financial contributions despite global economic uncertainties.

December 2023 saw a notable increase in remittances, with a 3.8 percent rise to $3.28 billion compared to the same period in 2022, reflecting the seasonal trend of increased remittance flows during the holiday season.

This boost was largely attributed to the contributions from both land-based and sea-based workers, demonstrating the ongoing commitment of OFWs to support their families back home during significant times of the year.

The United States, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, and Japan were among the leading sources of these remittances, pointing to the diverse global footprint of the Filipino workforce. The steady flow of funds from these countries not only supports individual families but also plays a crucial role in stabilizing the Philippine peso and bolstering the country’s economic growth.

Projected trends suggest that remittances will continue to grow, with an expected increase of 3 percent in the forthcoming years. The data showed that OFWs continue to send financial support back home, ensuring a robust economic connection with their homeland.

This steady stream of funds not only aids individual family members but also plays a crucial role in maintaining the economic stability of the Philippines.

Addressing ‘brain drain’

As the Philippine government acknowledges the profound impact of brain drain on national development, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has proposed a new strategy aimed at retaining local talent.

The strategy involves enticing graduates, particularly from the health and information technology sectors, to serve in the Philippines before moving abroad.

“We have to come up with some kind of strategy wherein, let’s say, you provide scholarships, and then the scholarship agreement includes that you stay three years. After that, then they’re free to go,” Marcos said

This initiative is complemented by the acknowledgment that while Filipino graduates are free to seek opportunities abroad, the loss of trained professionals could be mitigated by such programs.

According to Marcos, these efforts need to be supported by more attractive local employment options that could compete with international offers.

In support of this strategy, the Private Sector Advisory Council’s Jobs Sector Group (PSAC-Jobs) has highlighted that the local market struggles to match the high salaries offered in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Europe.

“I think what we can do is to continue to offer certificate programs and train their skills. I think we can do that. There’s no way for us to retain them,” said Teresita Sy-Coson of SM Investments Corp.

The PSAC has also urged a more coordinated approach among government agencies—including the Department of Health (DOH), the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW)—to create more compelling opportunities for Filipino workers.

PH-US reach 'golden spot'

Philippines-United States economic ties enter ‘golden spot’

Philippine companies expand in US while American equity firms eye Filipino startups

Story by Iris Gonzales 

Philstar Global

29 April 2024

NEW YORK — Amid the reinvigorated alliance between the Philippines and the United States, economic ties between the two countries have now reached a “golden spot,’’ according to New York Consul General Senen Mangalile.

“We’re really in that golden spot,” Mangalile said in a recent press briefing at the Philippine Center in New York.

This developed as Philippine companies are expanding in the US while American private equity firms and other funding institutions are on the lookout for investment opportunities in Manila.

Benedict Uy, trade commissioner and head of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in New York, said that a Philippine-listed manufacturing company is in the process of setting up a distribution hub in the US so that it can reach more companies across America.

“They want to be more aggressive in that, so they’re setting up their distribution center here. They’ve been working on that since last year,” Uy told visiting Filipino journalists who are part of the US State Department’s inaugural Friends, Allies, Partners program.

The Philippine company is engaged in the production of raw materials for a wide array of consumer products, including coconut-related products used for higher value applications such as consumer goods and personal care products such as cosmetics.

Uy, however, declined to name the company as it has not made an official announcement yet on its planned distribution hub, which may be completed as early as this year.

There are other Philippine companies that are also expanding their operations in the US including Jollibee Foods Corp., Century Pacific Food Inc. and Armscor Global Defense Inc., Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo said in the same briefing.

Jollibee Foods has been aggressively expanding in North America while Century Pacific’s plant-based product unMeat has been successfully growing its presence in US groceries and supermarkets since it entered the market last year, Rodolfo said.

Armscor, which manufactures firearms, is not new in the US, but remains a strong presence in the American firearms industry, he also said.

Philippine startups and other local ventures, meanwhile, have caught the interest of New York-headquartered private equity firms and other funding institutions either as their potential angel investors or funders, Uy said.

“There are also a number of projects that are locally initiated and are happening in the Philippines but are getting a lot of interest from the funding institutions here in New York such as private equity firms and financial institutions. They are investing in these projects,” Uy said.

Mangalile said that the Philippines’ economic relations with the US are indeed “more open, deeper and expanded” and this is seen helping the country’s growth in the years to come.

He said President Marcos’ visit to New York in 2022 has started a string of different events that have significantly improved the relationship between the two nations, Mangalile also said.

“Some US big players have been visiting the Philippines.”

Mangalile said the present situation is ideal, compared to the previous administration when the perception was that it was not very open to deepening relations with the US.

SEA as top growth market

Southeast Asia seen as a top growth market

Story by Alden M. Monzon
Inquirer.net
22 April 2024

MANILA, Philippines — Asia-Pacific business leaders expect that most growth in the region this year will be in Southeast Asia, which includes the Philippines, highlighting the potential for global growth for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in this part of the globe.

This is according to a survey by the American multinational FedEx Corp., done in partnership with Forbes Insights, which involved a poll of 250 business leaders in the region, including founders and C-suite executives.

Respondents were asked to select the regions where they see the most growth potential in the next 12 months.

About two-thirds or 68 percent of respondents picked Southeast Asia, followed by Europe, which was chosen by 45 percent.

Meanwhile, North and South America was selected by 45 percent, while the grouping of India, the Middle East, Eurasia, and Africa was cited by 33 percent.

Maribeth Espinosa, managing director of FedEx Express Philippines, said in a statement the survey presents valuable insights and opportunities for businesses in the Philippines to better serve their customers and tap into new markets.

In the same survey, issues on government customs requirements, tariffs, and customs clearance were cited as the biggest barrier to cross-border business as cited by half of the respondents.

Marketing, as well as gaining visibility into global markets and finding customers, on the other hand, was cited by 45 percent.

The third challenge, as cited by 42 percent, is finding partners and suppliers in global markets. INQ