Jollibee plans 26 franchised restaurants in Western Canada

Jollibee is preparing for the next stage of its Canadian expansion through franchising. Two agreements announced in August 2026 provide for 26 additional restaurants in British Columbia and Edmonton. According to a guide published by FundBizPro on 25 October, this expansion relies on multi-unit operators, whereas all 28 Canadian restaurants recorded in August were company-operated.

Two agreements focused on Western Canada

The development commitments were announced through JBM LLC, Jollibee’s North American franchising company. They cover two markets where the brand already has restaurants, rather than marking its entry into a new province.

In British Columbia, the agreement provides for 16 new restaurants over five years with an experienced operator of several restaurant brands. These outlets are set to join the four restaurants Jollibee already operated directly in the province. If the programme is completed in full, the provincial network will therefore reach 20 locations.

In Edmonton, the second agreement covers ten new restaurants, in addition to the four already in the city. Delivering on this commitment would bring the number of Jollibee restaurants in this market to 14.

The five-year timetable reported for British Columbia should not automatically be applied to Edmonton. The two commitments cover different numbers of restaurants, and the published information does not provide the same level of detail on timing for each.

A wholly company-operated network as of August

Jollibee opened its first Canadian restaurant in Winnipeg in 2016. Ten years later, FundBizPro’s overview records 28 restaurants across the country as of August 2026, all company-operated.

Ontario was then its largest Canadian market, with 12 restaurants. Alberta had eight, British Columbia four, Manitoba three and Saskatchewan one. No restaurants were recorded in Quebec or Atlantic Canada at that date.

The western agreements therefore introduce a different growth model from that of the existing network: restaurant development by franchisees. They do not, however, announce the conversion of existing company-operated outlets to franchises.

Adding the 26 planned restaurants to the 28 recorded outlets could take Jollibee to at least 54 restaurants in Canada, provided both programmes are completed and the existing network is maintained. This figure represents the potential arising from the commitments, not the number of restaurants currently open.

A franchise model for multi-unit operators

For those in the franchise sector, the key point is the operator profile Jollibee is seeking. According to FundBizPro, its Canadian programme targets operators already running several restaurants. Each agreement covers at least three outlets.

The offering described is therefore not a single first restaurant sold to a new entrepreneur. It is based on a multi-unit development commitment. The British Columbia partner is itself described as an experienced operator of several brands, which fits this approach.

This distinction matters when interpreting the announcement. The 26 planned restaurants do not represent 26 individual franchises offered separately to as many applicants. They are grouped under two development agreements. Interested entrepreneurs should therefore examine the terms of a commitment covering several locations, rather than assume they can buy a single franchise.

Commitments to track through to opening

The next tangible milestone will be the opening of the planned restaurants. A development agreement establishes a commitment, but does not mean that every location covered is already serving customers. Tracking openings will show the actual progress of the two programmes.

The geographical scope should also be kept in mind: these announcements concern British Columbia and Edmonton. They do not provide grounds to conclude that franchising will soon launch in Quebec or the Atlantic provinces.

Key takeaway: prospective Jollibee franchisees should first check whether they are suited to a multi-unit model. Before assessing a specific location, they should confirm available territories, the required number of restaurants and the development timetable directly with the brand.