Jollibee Group has been honored as the first-ever Global Growth Champion at the inaugural Globie Awards, the official recognition program of the Global Restaurant Leadership Conference (GRLC), which gathers top executives from the worldwide restaurant and foodservice industry.
The award honors companies that have shown exceptional international expansion and made a notable impact on the global restaurant sector. Jollibee Group was chosen from 12 brand nominees, securing over 74 percent of votes cast by the award’s advisory panel — a decisive lead.
From its beginnings as a Philippine business, Jollibee Group has grown into a global restaurant operator with more than 10,700 stores and cafés across 33 countries, managing a portfolio of 20 brands through owned, franchised, and invested businesses. The recognition underscores its strong growth path, operational flexibility, and smart brand diversification as it continues expanding in key markets worldwide.
“Jollibee Group’s win as our 2026 Global Growth Champion is both decisive and well-deserved. Among several outstanding nominees, Jollibee’s dominance was clear. They’ve transformed from a beloved Filipino brand into a true global restaurant powerhouse, and their strategic portfolio diversification demonstrates they’re playing the long game in international growth,” said Jonathan Maze, editor in chief of Restaurant Business.
“What sets the Jollibee Group apart is how they’ve redefined international restaurant expansion — not just through rapid growth, but through thoughtful, community-driven strategies that honor local cultures while building a diversified portfolio of brands,” Maze added.
David Beal, global chief marketing officer and head of digital marketing at Jollibee Group, said: “This award recognizes not only the scale of Jollibee Group’s international expansion, but also the strength and discipline behind it. Growing across markets requires more than opening stores; it takes brands that are relevant to local customers, strong operating teams, committed franchisees and partners, and the ability to execute consistently across different geographies. That is the foundation we continue to build as we grow Jollibee Group into a truly global restaurant company.”
The Globie Awards celebrate excellence in global restaurant leadership, growth, innovation, and operational impact. The formal presentation of the award will take place during the Global Restaurant Leadership Conference in November 2026.
