Jollibee Announces Philanthropic Partnership with University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital

CHICAGO, Sept. 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Jollibee, the largest Asian restaurant company and a global fast-food chain famous for its Chickenjoy, today announced a philanthropic partnership with University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital, one of the premier pediatric medical centers in the city. With the Chicagoans' warm welcome to Jollibee in the state, the brand would like to express its gratitude by giving back to the community. As a company that values families and kids, Jollibee believes the hospital to be a fitting partner that is aligned with the brand's mission to share joy – this time to kids who are in dire need of pediatric care.

The brand will kick-off the partnership with a check presentation of $25,000 to Comer Children's today, Sept. 15, 2016, just seven weeks after the successful opening of the brand's first store in the Midwest. The donation will go towards the Comer Children's Child Life and Family Education unit, which specializes in providing families with the best experience possible while they are at the hospital. On top of the monetary donation, Jollibee will also pledge ongoing "Jollibee Days" to Comer Children's, where Jollibee will be providing food to bring cheer to the children and their families on a regular basis.

"We are excited and honored to tie up with such a prestigious establishment as the University of Chicago Medicine's Comer Children's Hospital. They are a leader in pediatric medicine and consistently make a difference in the lives of children in Chicago," said Ernesto Tanmantiong, CEO of Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC). "The Child Life and Family Education unit is a perfect fit for Jollibee's family friendly mission, and we hope our contribution and continuing partnership will make a positive impact on Comer Children's and our community."

The brand's first store in the Midwestern United States, located in the suburban community of Skokie, opened its doors on July 29, 2016. The excitement around the Skokie store has led to plans for a second Chicagoland location scheduled to open in late 2016. "The support Chicagoans have given our very first store in the Midwest is truly overwhelming and humbling at the same time. The Jollibee USA team has worked hard to bring joy through great service and good food to our patrons in Illinois, specially to our Filipino customers who are looking forward to a taste of home, and we are happy to see how our brand of joy is being shared in this state," shared Jose Miñana, JFC Group President for North America and Foreign Franchise Brands in the Philippines. 

Jollibee's partnership with Comer Children's, which has the only Level 1 Pediatric Trauma Center on the South Side of Chicago, signals the brand's commitment to the state of Illinois and emphasis on giving back to the community.

"Jollibee has always stood for spreading joy – the joy of eating, the joy of spending quality time with friends and loved ones," said Maribeth dela Cruz, JFC USA Vice President and General Manager. "And now, we are excited to spread some of that joy to the children and families that are beneficiaries of Comer Children's excellent care."

"We are happy to welcome Jollibee to the Comer Children's community," said John Cunningham, MD, Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Chicago. "Our new partnership will enhance our opportunities to provide personalized care to our pediatric patients and their families, and improve the health of children in our community."

Jollibee Skokie marks the brand's 34^th store in the U.S., and is part of JFC's growth plan across North America. The U.S. market drives a significant share of the brand's international business across its stores located in California, Hawaii, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Texas, Washington, Virginia, and now Illinois. It opened its first store in 1998 in Daly City, California. Later this year, Jollibee will be opening its first stores in Jacksonville, Florida and Canada with a store in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Next year, the brand is slated to open its very first store in New York City.

JFC is currently ranked as the largest Asian restaurant company in market capitalization, and 9^th largest in the world, operating in 12 markets, with a total of 3,159 stores globally, of which 1,082 are Jollibee brand stores. The company's aggressive expansion plan in North America is part of its overarching goal to be among the top five quick service restaurant brands globally by the year 2020.

About Jollibee
Jollibee is the largest fast food chain brand in the Philippines, operating a Philippine network of more than 900 stores. A dominant market leader in the Philippines, Jollibee has embarked on an aggressive international expansion plan, now with more than 100 international stores.

Technomic has consistently cited Jollibee among its Top 500 chain restaurants in the United States.

About Jollibee Foods Corporation
Jollibee Foods Corporation is the largest Asian restaurant company and the largest restaurant company in the Philippines. It operates over 3,000 stores globally with store branches in the United States, China, Brunei, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain. The brands under its portfolio are Jollibee, Greenwich, Chowking, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal, Burger King, Yonghe King, Hong Zhuang Yuan, and San Pin Wang.

JFC also has considerable investments with the brands Highlands Coffee, Pho 24, 12 Hotpot, Dunkin Donuts in China and U.S. based burger chain Smashburger.

Jollibee Foods Corporation has grown brands that bring delightful dining experience to its customers worldwide, in line with its mission of serving great tasting food and spreading the joy of eating to everyone.

Jollibee Foods Corporation has been named the Philippines' most admired company by the Asian Wall Street Journal for eight years in a row, and was honored as one of the '200 Best Under a Billion Companies in Asia' and one of 'Asia's Fab 50 Companies' by Forbes Asia Magazine.

About University of Chicago Medicine Comer Children's Hospital
Comer Children's Hospital, which is part of the University of Chicago Medicine, is home to the only Level 1 pediatric trauma center on the city's South Side. It includes a 30-bed pediatric intensive care unit, one of the state's busiest neonatal intensive units and an array of general, specialty and subspecialty care for children of all ages. The hospital admits about 5,000 patients and accommodates nearly 37,000 outpatient clinics visits annually, offering everything from general care to groundbreaking treatments for the most complex medical conditions.

SOURCE Jollibee