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Jollibee to open branch in Kuwait next month

By Ben Garcia KUWAIT: Jollibee, the largest international Filipino fast-food chain, will open its first branch in Kuwait City next month, announced franchisee owner Yacoub I Al-Hajery-General Manager of Al-Hajery Commercial Bureau Co. "I am very excited to begin with. The restaurant will be turned over to us within the next two weeks and we are in the process of securing visas for 30 trained and experienced Jollibee crews and managers right now. They'll be here by the first till second week of December," Al-Hajery noted. Jollibee is tentatively set to open on Dec 23, although dates are subject to change.

Jollibee is a home brand that many Filipinos identify with, foraying into the fast food business in Manila in 1975. But the taste of Jollibee is more than just a Filipino taste. Rodel Alcantara, Jollibee Foods Corporation Operation Director for International Operation (Middle East) noted Jollibee is not a mere Filipino food brand but an international fast-food chain.

We are a proud Filipino brand...yes, but we are also an international food brand competing among other top fast-food chains around the world like McDonalds and Burger King. We have a presence all over the world and I am sure Kuwaitis and other expatriates would love to see Jollibee here again," he quipped. Jollibee has been in the market for quite some time now. In fact, Jollibee-Kuwait opened its first store in 1994 and lasted till 1999. Jollibee is proud of its latest expansion in the Middle East.

We are currently operating seven branches of Jollibee stores in Saudi Arabia; one in Qatar and there are other places in the Gulf region that will open soon. We have a number of branches in the United States, Vietnam, China and Brunei. So we are expanding and going to expand further," he added. "Opportunities for expansion are very promising. It is obvious in the Middle East and we are searching for the right and perfect partner like Al-Hajery," said Alcantara.

He noted that Al-Hajery has waited for about four years to obtain the franchisee for Jollibee Kuwait, not because of anything else, but because of some requirements needed to award the franchise deal. "We've got about 75 applicants from Kuwait intending to get the Jollibee franchisee once again, Al-Hajery complied and met with all of necessary requirements including the fact that he loved the Jollibee products. One of our requirements is that the franchisee should believe in the products. Al-Hajery is the perfect partner because he really loved Jollibee products and he has this kind of passion that we really look for.

Ariel Reyes, Jollibee Research and Development Manager said product testing and other concerns have been approved and tested. "Having been approved in Saudi Arabia and other major Muslim countries around the world, we are pretty sure that it will be widely accepted here as well. We are ready for Kuwaiti and other expats customers. We will definitely serve 100 percent Halal products, certified by Halal Certification Board of the Philippines," Reyes asserted.

Jollibee is an American-style fast-food restaurant serving three main flagship recipes; chicken, burgers and spaghetti. The major ingredients will be delivered from the Philippines but local products here will be considered and used for minor recipes. Located at the behind Kuwait City's post office, the venue is spacious. It is approximately 550 meters away from the Holy Family Cathedral, the National Evangelical Church and about 100 meters away from a known Filipino Mosque in Kuwait City.

Maxi D. Peralta, Senior Marketing Manager International Operations said Jollibee follows international design concept that allows free movement of customers and crew. Jollibee Kuwait City can accommodate up to 300 customers at the basement, ground and the first level of 'Albolbul' building. "The ambiance, decorations used follows the modern concept of Jollibee back in Manila. We call it a neutral and non-racial environment. We have a separate party room where birthdays and special occasions can be celebrated, that can accommodate up to 60 people," Peralta opined. There are about 733 Jollibee stores in operation all over the Philippines.

© Kuwait Times 2011