A POPULAR Filipino fast food brand is investing £30 million to open 50 UK sites by 2025 - with a location in the North-East.

Fried chicken chain Jollibee, which has a cult following in parts of South East Asia, was met with 18-hour queues when it opened its first store in London in 2018. 

In the first two weeks of the launch, Jollibee sold over half a million pieces of chicken.

The brand, which serves chicken alongside meatballs and spaghetti, opened new restaurants in Liverpool and Leicester last year.

Now the company plans a UK-wide expansion with stores in Leeds, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Nottingham, Reading and Cardiff in the next six months.

There will also be a branch in Newcastle, which will open before the end of the year.

It comes after a successful food delivery trial in Liverpool and Leicester during lockdown.

Jollibee is the Philippines’ largest fast-food chain, well known for its tropical twist to a traditional western menu and unique food combinations including crispy fried chicken with a side of sweet spaghetti.

The Northern Echo: Picture: Jollibee Picture: Jollibee

By 2025, the company hopes to open over 50 stores across Europe and has further expansion plans in Italy and Spain with an investment of £50 million across Europe, including £30 million in the UK.

'Chickenjoy' is Jollibee’s signature dish, served up crispy on the outside and marinated to be extra juicy on the inside. Another is the 'Jolly Spaghetti', a sweet style spaghetti with Jollibee’s signature sauce loaded with hotdog pieces and grated cheese. 

Adam Parkinson, business head of Jollibee Europe, said: "Having grown up in the North, I understand the opportunities we have across our cities, both in the North West and North-East. Next month Leeds will open, off the back of our successful Liverpool opening.

The Northern Echo: Picture: Jollibee Picture: Jollibee

"Planting our flag in the North-East, Newcastle will open before the end of the year.

"It's a very important city for Jollibee. It’s a student city, transportation hub and most people’s destination for retail, theatre and nightlife.

"It’s also the most populous city in the North-East so key to our expansion plans. I am looking forward to seeing our Jollibee fans and Geordie locals enjoying our Jollibee experience and delicious quality food."

Jollibee is also looking at locations in Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, Brighton, Exeter, Norwich and Southampton to open in 2022. 

The fried chicken chain was founded in 1978 by Tony Tan Caktiong in the Philippines.

Tony, the son of Chinese immigrants, built up his business from an ice cream store to later offer a selection of hot food.

The brand continues to be owned by Jollibee Group and has 1,478 locations around the world, as of December 31, 2020.