Jollibee Group Ramps Up Solar Power Use for Commissaries, Logistics Centers, & Restaurants
MANILA, Philippines. – In keeping with the company’s sustainability “Joy for Tomorrow” agenda, the Jollibee Group recently announced that it is further accelerating its shift to renewable energy through solar panel installations in its stores, commissaries, and logistics centers.
Renewable energy efforts in supply chain sites. Jollibee Group’s Zen3 commissary is one of its supply chain facilities where solar panels are being integrated and is expected to be completed by Dec 30, 2023. Installation at other sites, such as the Jollibee Worldwide Services Logistics Center, is set to be finished by the second quarter of 2024.
“Our focus on environmentally responsible practices drives us to adopt renewable energy sources, on top of efforts to decrease our overall energy consumption. By installing solar panels in our commissaries, logistics centers down to our stores, we are able to harness energy that is friendlier to the planet so that future generations may continue to enjoy it, ” said Ernesto Tanmantiong, Jollibee Group President & CEO.
Network of Solar-Powered Stores
Harnessing the power of the sun. In 2023, an additional 16 stores are slated to incorporate solar panels into their operations. By 2024, another 20 stores will be added, bringing the total count to 64. Combined with its solar panel integrated commissaries and logistics centers, this manifests Jollibee Group’s commitment to continuously better its sustainability practices.
The Jollibee Group made history in 2014 by becoming the first restaurant chain to harness solar energy, initially implementing solar panels in six of its stores. Since then, the Jollibee Group has consistently expanded its use of solar power.
By the end of 2022, the company has equipped 28 stores in various parts of the country with solar panels, including 19 Jollibee, seven (7) Chowking, and two (2) Mang Inasal branches. Aside from providing renewable energy, solar panel integration also improves cost-efficiency of business operations delivering from 5% to 35% of the store’s energy needs.
In the current year, an additional 16 stores are slated to incorporate solar panels into their operations. By 2024, another 20 stores will be added, bringing the total count to 64. Combined with its solar panel integrated commissaries and logistics centers, this manifests Jollibee Group’s commitment to continuously better its sustainability practices.
Shared Commitment to Going Green
Shared sustainable responsibility. More franchise stores have chosen to use solar energy. Franchisee Jeannie Posas has installed solar panels in her various stores, such as this Red Ribbon branch in Tondo, Manila. Jeannie has installed solar panels across her four Jollibee, one Mang Inasal, and is installing in three more Jollibee stores in Davao. “We also took the cue from the Jollibee Group, their initiatives, and their eagerness to get us onboard with the effort to install solar panels,” said Posas.
The Jollibee Group recognizes that implementing and fast-tracking its sustainability agenda demands collective commitment and collaborative action. As such, the company encourages franchisees to grow their businesses with sustainability in mind.
Over the years, more franchise stores have chosen to use solar energy. Jeannie Posas, a franchisee who owns several stores across various brands of the Jollibee Group, has installed solar panels in her stores – four (4) Jollibee, one (1) Mang Inasal, and one (1) Red Ribbon store. She is installing solar panels in three (3) more Jollibee stores in Davao.
Posas views solar panel installation as fundamentally right for the environment and right for business. She noted, “On average, the power generated from solar panels will contribute to around 5-12% of our daily requirements. But we believe it offers a bigger advantage, allowing us to give back and make the world a better place.”
“We also took the cue from the Jollibee Group, their initiatives, and their eagerness to get us onboard with the effort to install solar panels. We especially appreciate their support during the entire process, from the initial stages of the installation down to the assessment of the actual performance of the solar panels,” Posas added.
In the case of Jollibee Camiling in Tarlac, located at Wishing Well Plaza Mall, the store’s franchisee, Albert Tan, took the initiative to find innovative solutions in locating a suitable placement for their solar panels. “We’re happy to support the Jollibee Group in their thrust towards treating the planet responsibly,” said Tan.
“We know that transitioning to solar energy would not be easy and it would entail physical and financial requirements, but we and our franchisees know that it is worth doing,” said Tanmantiong. “This initiative goes beyond generating cost efficiencies for operations. This represents diverse groups coming together to contribute towards a more sustainable future.”
Sustainable Commissaries and Logistics Centers
Amid the pandemic in 2020, Jollibee Group’s commissaries and logistics centers, which support the company’s varied portfolio of brands in the Philippines, has beefed up its sustainable business practices, that aims to reduce the environmental impact of its operations.
Solar panel installation is underway in two of its state-of-the-art commissaries in Canlubang, Laguna, with expected completion by December 30, 2023. Installation at other sites, such as the Jollibee Worldwide Services Logistics Center, is set to be finished by the second quarter of 2024.
“The implementation of solar panel systems across two manufacturing sites and a logistics center presents an exciting opportunity to harness clean energy. This initiative will effectively transform approximately 18% of the total energy consumption at these three facilities into renewable energy sources,” explained Jose Miñana Jr., Jollibee Group Chief Sustainability and Public Affairs Officer.
The use of solar panels forms part of the wide array of initiatives that Jollibee Group has implemented in its commissaries and logistics centers to continue enhancing its responsible practices. These initiatives are integral components of the Jollibee Group’s global sustainability agenda known as “Joy for Tomorrow.”
“We place a strong emphasis on taking care of the planet in our sustainability agenda, and our renewable and energy efficiency programs are vital in supporting this pillar. We in the Jollibee Group, along with our partners and stakeholders, will continue taking proactive steps towards a more sustainable future,” added Miñana.
About Jollibee Group
Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC, also known as Jollibee Group) is one of the fastest-growing restaurant companies in the world. Its mission is to serve great-tasting food and bring the joy of eating to everyone through its 18 brands with over 6,600 stores across 34 countries including the Philippines, United States, Canada, the People’s Republic of China, United Kingdom, Vietnam, United Arab Emirates, and Australia.
The Jollibee Group has eight wholly owned brands (Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal, Yonghe King, Hong Zhuang Yuan, Smashburger); four franchised brands (Burger King, Panda Express, and Yoshinoya in the Philippines, and Tim Ho Wan in certain territories in China); 80% ownership of The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf; 60% ownership in the SuperFoods Group that owns Highlands Coffee; and 51% ownership of Milksha, a popular Taiwanese bubble tea brand. JFC also has a business venture with award-winning Chef Rick Bayless for Tortazo, a Mexican fast-casual restaurant business in the United States.
The Jollibee Group, through its subsidiary Jollibee Worldwide Pte. Ltd. (JWPL) owns 90% participating interest in Titan Dining LP, a private equity fund that owns the Tim Ho Wan brand. The Jollibee Group has a joint venture with the THW Group to open and operate THW restaurants in Mainland China. Recently, the Jollibee Group has signed an agreement to establish a joint venture company that will own and operate Tiong Bahru Bakery and Common Man Coffee Roasters in the Philippines.
The Jollibee Group has launched its global sustainability agenda dubbed Joy for Tomorrow, which aims to strengthen the company’s commitment to sustainable business practices. The agenda centers on the key pillars of Food, People, and Planet, and consists of 10 focus areas namely: food safety, food quality, nutrition & transparency, employee welfare, farmers livelihood, community support, good governance, packaging & recycling, waste reduction, and energy & water efficiency. Each focus area sets goals and initiatives that contribute and align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
The Jollibee Group was named the Philippines’ most admired company by the Asian Wall Street Journal for ten years. It was also honored as one of Asia’s Fab 50 Companies and among the World’s Best Employers and World’s Top Female-Friendly Companies by Forbes. The company is also a two-time recipient of Gallup’s Exceptional Workplace Award, making it the only Philippine-based company to receive the distinction.
To learn more about Jollibee Group, visit www.jollibeegroup.com
