The fried chicken wars in San Antonio may be heading into a new phase, as Jollibee, the Philippine chain famous for Chickenjoy and Jolly Spaghetti, lines up a major local expansion. The brand, which has operated a single Alamo City restaurant since December 2020, is now eyeing at least 15 new spots across the metro. If the plan comes together, San Antonio would become a central hub in Jollibee's Texas playbook.
In an email update, a company media representative said Jollibee is "looking to plant at least 15 new locations" across the Alamo City, according to MySA. The move lines up with a broader franchising push the chain is rolling out in major U.S. markets, as it looks to turn regional buzz into a much bigger national footprint.
Where Jollibee Is Hunting
Peter Wright, Jollibee's vice president of franchising, has told company contacts that Texas could have the "capacity to support" up to 150 Jollibee locations and that the brand has identified about 14 trade areas in and around San Antonio, MySA reports. The outreach highlights the city's Filipino American community and the military population at Joint Base San Antonio as key customer bases. Company officials say they want to be methodical about where they land and whom they partner with, rather than rushing into any strip center with a drive-thru.
How San Antonio Fits Into A National Push
Industry coverage positions the San Antonio buildout as one piece of Jollibee's larger U.S. growth strategy. Reporting and executive interviews outline a near term roadmap toward roughly 150 American restaurants, with longer term ambitions that stretch into the hundreds, according to 1851 Franchise.
When And Who Will Build Them
For now, Jollibee's first order of business is finding a seasoned multi unit franchisee who can build several locations and run them well, the Houston Chronicle reports. That outlet notes Jollibee expects to roll out San Antonio openings over roughly five to six years and generally prefers high traffic sites near shopping anchors, hospitals or colleges. The chain's lone San Antonio restaurant, at 5033 Northwest Loop 410, opened in December 2020 and effectively serves as the local test case.
What This Could Mean For San Antonio
Fifteen new Jollibee locations would bring construction work and restaurant jobs, while dropping another national name into San Antonio's already crowded fried chicken field. It would also make the chain far more accessible to local fans who currently have to trek across town for their fix. Local reporting notes that the move trails Jollibee's success in other Texas metros and shows how national franchising blueprints can quickly turn into neighborhood level development, as covered by the San Antonio Current.
For now, the details on exact sites and timing are still flexible while Jollibee vets franchise partners and individual parcels. Expect the next clues to show up in franchise announcements and city permit filings over the coming months as the hunt for local developers and prime corners plays out.
