Philippine fast food chain bringing some ‘Chickenjoy’ to the East Bay

New drive-thru chicken restaurant set to open its doors in the East Bay on Sunday.

Jollibee, an international fast-food restaurant known for its “Chickenjoy” fried chicken, will open its first East County location in Brentwood on Sunday.

The specialty drive-thru restaurant, which will be located at the previous KFC restaurant at 6371 Lone Tree Way, was first approved in 2021, but long anticipated among local fans of the Philippine-based chain who have long had to travel to Concord to get their fix of chicken, burgers, spaghetti and Filipino dishes.

The opening marks Jollibee’s 31st location in California, 66th in the U.S. and 92nd in North America.

“We look forward to extending our joyful dining experience to both our long-time fans and first-time visitors who call this beautiful city home,” said Maribeth Dela Cruz, president, Jollibee North America, in a statement. “Brentwood not only boasts a vibrant community, it’s also one of the fastest-growing cities in the Bay Area, which makes it a perfect fit for introducing Jollibee to new audiences who are curious to try our tasty offerings.”

“Chickenjoy” has become the Philippines’ answer to the U.S. fast food giants, and before the new store opens, it will likely see long lines as has been the case for other Jollibee openings.

Founded by Chinese immigrants in Manila in the 1970s, the company has since grown into a multi-billion dollar business empire. It was recently recognized as one of “America’s Hottest Brands 2022” by leading industry publication, Ad Age.

And, as a sign of its growing appeal in the U.S., the international food website Eater.com named Jollibee “the best chain fried chicken in America.”

Some of the most popular menu items that have fans lining up for hours when a new Jollibee comes to town include Chickenjoy, Jollibee’s signature, hand-breaded fried chicken, spicy chicken sandwiches, peach-mango pie, and for a limited time, coconut-pineapple pie.

And, for Brentwood customers, company officials say there’s a new menu item: Baked Cheddar Mac ‘n Cheese.

But the restaurant will have to compete with others known for their chicken, including AngryChickz, Bonchon Chicken nearby in Brentwood and a Chik-Fil-A restaurant in the planning stages down the road in Antioch.

To learn more about Jollibee Group, visit www.jollibeegroup.com.

Check back for updates.