After nearly five years of planning, Jollibee Foods Corp appears closer to opening its first restaurant in Australia, with a proposed location in Campbelltown, a growing suburb in Sydney’s southwest. The project is being developed in partnership with PMG Group and centers on redeveloping a former Sizzler site into a multi-brand fast food precinct. Campbelltown City Council has approved the development, with consent in place until July 2029, though a construction start date has not yet been announced.
The redevelopment plan includes three fast-food outlets that would house Jollibee alongside Taco Bell and Krispy Kreme. For Jollibee, the move represents a long-anticipated entry into a competitive market dominated by established global chains. The brand is best known for its Chickenjoy fried chicken, as well as its burgers and sweet style spaghetti, offerings that have fueled its expansion across North America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.
Jollibee’s path to Australia has not been without challenges. Initial plans submitted in 2021 did not advance due to administrative and planning hurdles, delaying what the company has described as a strategic priority. Despite those setbacks, Jollibee has continued to signal its commitment to the market, viewing Australia as a key component of its broader international growth strategy.
Dennis Flores, president of Jollibee Foods Corp for Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia, has said the company has been planning its Australian entry for years and remains focused on getting the approach right. He has emphasized the importance of selecting strong local partners and understanding consumer expectations in a market as diverse and geographically vast as Australia.
If the Campbelltown project proceeds as planned, it would mark Jollibee’s first operational foothold in the country and potentially open the door to further expansion. Industry observers note that success in Sydney could pave the way for additional locations across major Australian cities, adding a new competitor to the fast food landscape and introducing Australian consumers to one of Asia’s most recognizable quick service brands.
