Jollibee eyes Hong Kong listing of international unit

MANILA, Philippines — Asian food conglomerate Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) is eyeing to proceed with the listing of international business in Hong Kong by the second half of next year.

Jollibee Group global president and CEO Ernesto Tanmantiong told The STAR that the planned Hong Kong listing is targeted to take place sometime in the third quarter of 2027.

JFC is working on a separate listing of the shares of JFC International (JFCI) on the main board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Ltd. (HKEX) instead of a US listing as previously planned.

HKEX is seen providing the company access to a broad base of global and regional investors, making it well suited to support a business with ambitions that extend beyond Asia, including continued growth in North America.

“We’re working hard toward the listing of Jollibee Foods Corp. International. Going global is not the end, it is our next beginning,” Tanmantiong said.

“The opportunity before us is to take what’s strong at home and make it relevant to the world,” he said.

JFC is planning to separate its global operations from its Philippine operations, with JFCI hold the group’s international business.

JFC has selected Hong Kong for the proposed listing, saying that the decision reflects the company’s assessment of the listing venue best suited to JFCI’s business, geographic footprint and investment profile.

The company sees Hong Kong as offering the market environment and investor relevance to support JFCI’s long-term ambitions and is best positioned to recognize the value of its distinctive business profile and growth potential.

Further, Hong Kong represents a natural market for JFCI given the depth of its existing presence and brand recognition across Asia, where many of its brands already have strong consumer awareness and market relevance.

JFC intends to remain listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange and will comprise the group’s Philippine operations and businesses.

As one of the world’s fastest-growing restaurant companies, the Jollibee Group manages and operates a portfolio that includes 20 brands with over 10,700 stores and cafés across 33 countries.