MANILA, MARCH 13, 2013 – Jollibee’s "langhap sarap" has made its way to the Lion City, opening its flagship branch in Singapore on Tuesday, March 12, despite calls by some nationals to boycott the Filipino-owned fast food chain.
Jollibee Singapore’s first outlet is located at Lucky Plaza on Orchard Road, with a seating capacity of 300. The business is co-owned by Jollibee Foods Corporation’s subsidiary Golden Plate and Singaporean company Beeworks.
Some time before the opening, a Facebook page (now with close to 3,000 fans) was created to encourage the anti-Jollibee Singapore controversy that dissuades nationals to dine in the Filipino restaurant known for its chickenjoy and yum burgers. Boycott Jollibee Singapore states: "Unlike other MNCs like Macdonalds and KFC which hire mainly Singaporeans. Jollibee Singapore intends to hire fellow pinoys to fill up new jobs in SG." It was a response a post on Jollibee Singapore’s official Facebook page calling on "Jollibee fans" to join the business.
However, Jollibee says in a press release that the company has made "concerted efforts to attract Singaporeans and Singapore permanent residents to join our restaurant".
