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By Carina Cordero Brossy<\/p>\n
Matthews, NC, United States<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
What do burgers, fried chicken, spaghetti, and tuna pies have in common? You can find all of these items and more on the menu of the largest fast-food chain in the Philippines<\/strong>.<\/p>\n How It Bee-gan<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Jollibee, with more than 1,660 restaurants located primarily in the Southeast Asian nation, has established itself as an iconic and highly profitable food chain. Originally opened as an ice-cream parlor in 1975, its founder, Tony Tan Caktiong, took on the Philippines\u2019 first McDonald\u2019s in 1978 by creating his own fast-food chain. With a large dose of national pride and a menu shaped around Filipino tastes, his creation became one of the few local brands to beat McDonald\u2019s in its home market.<\/p>\n The company\u2019s main mascot is Jollibee, a colorful red-and-yellow bee. With his chef\u2019s hat, bow tie, and big smile, Jollibee appears in advertisements and social media posts. He even became popular enough to star with other mascot friends in a children\u2019s television show called Jollitown<\/em>, which aired from 2008 to 2013.<\/p>\n Creating Buzz<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Since its early years, the brand has grown by acquiring other restaurants that specialize in such cuisines as Chinese and traditional American. In 2024, Jollibee Group reported that customers spent PHP 390.3 billion (Philippine pesos, US$6.7 billion) across its restaurants and caf\u00e9s. Philippine call centers and other outsourcing businesses have put wages in the pockets of many workers. With busy schedules and a little more spending money, many customers are happy to grab tasty dishes like Yumburgers and Chickenjoy.<\/p>\n Like any powerful fast-food chain, this brand reaches well beyond its local origins. Hungry fans can find its signature dishes in 17 countries around the world. The United States has over 80 stores with more to come. So, the next time you\u2019re craving a burger with a side of Palabok Fiesta (noodles with garlic sauce, pork, shrimp, and egg), you\u2019ll soon need to look no farther than your neighborhood Jollibee.<\/p>\n Have a suggestion for this story? We\u2019d love for you to\u00a0submit it<\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Philippines-GMS-Jollibee_sign-600-x-400-px.png” alt=”A roadside Jollibee restaurant sign featuring the smiling bee mascot wearing a chef’s hat above a red rectangular sign with the white text %22Jollibee.%22 against a blue sky” title_text=”Philippines GMS Jollibee_sign (600 x 400 px)” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”9px” text_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”-40px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Adaptation of \u201cJollibee<\/a>\u201d by scion_cho. Licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/mathkind.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Philippines-GMS-Jollibee_bee-face-600-x-400-px.png” alt=”Close-up of the smiling face of the Jollibee mascot on a colorful sign, showing large cartoon eyes, rosy cheeks, and part of the red head against a bright background” title_text=”Philippines GMS Jollibee_bee face (600 x 400 px)” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.7″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.7″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”9px” text_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”-40px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Photo \u201c2007.0819 Jollibee<\/a>\u201d by Frank Farm. Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion toggle_icon=”||fa||900″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Blank” open=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_css_main_element=”display: none; ” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Blank<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Math Resources” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.27.5″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Learning Activity:<\/p>\n Sample Problems:<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Social Justice Question” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n Researchers have linked a fast food diet to obesity and other negative health effects. In addition, fast food corporations increase food insecurity by undermining local control of food production. Lower-income neighborhoods tend to have higher concentrations of fast food restaurants. What do you think could be possible solutions to this problem?<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Explore Further” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Share Your Story” open_toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” toggle_text_color=”#0a1766″ toggle_font_size=”18px” open=”off”]<\/p>\n\n
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