Rejoicing Over Jollibee's as the World's 2nd Fastest-Growing Restaurant Brand While Still Refusing Economic Charter Change?

What I should have noticed is that on February 16, 2024, Jollibee was named the second fasting restaurant. Yes, you read it right, and here's an excerpt from the Philippine Star: 

Jollibee said its recent opening in Canada, the brand’s 100th store in North America, forms part of the group’s aggressive expansion plan for 2024.

“Being ranked as the second fastest growing brand in the world validates the effective work of all the leaders and teams of Jollibee – past and present –  whose commitment to the brand and its customers has helped drive the brand’s sustained growth over the years,” Jollibee Group president and CEO Ernesto Tanmantiong said.

Brand Finance’s latest annual brand ranking report showed that Jollibee surged by 51 percent to $2.3 billion in brand value, rising to rank 17 from rank 20 in this year’s Global Restaurant Rankings.

It also landed fifth place in the strongest restaurant brand category, with its rating improving to AAA from AA-.

Further, Jollibee was the sole Philippine brand listed in the 2024 Top 25 Most Valuable Restaurant Brands and Top 10 Strongest Restaurant Brands.

“Jollibee is the second fastest-growing brand this year, with its brand value up 51 percent to $2.3 billion, while maintaining a strong brand position in its domestic market,” Brand Finance said.

Brand Finance said that with its expanding range of children-centric offerings, Jollibee is poised to maintain its hometown popularity.

This makes me think of people shouting with all their heart, "Pinoy Pride!" This may even come from people who have their idea of the Filipino master race (which is but a dream). I'm also reminded of how some of my classmates before would look down on ethnic Chinese people (though, it's easily understandable because we were all still children) while enjoying Jollibee. Some people didn't know better back then due to their age. However, some people still continue to grow in economic ignorance. It's probably because they would rather listen to Filipino economists who can't back up their studies than economists who would learn from people like the late Lee Kuan Yew. 

Philippine Anti-Fascist League

I'd point people back to an article I wrote about viewing FDIs and OFWs as a game of invasion. One defunct Facebook page called the Philippine Anti-Fascist League created the myth above. Fortunately, their backup page isn't getting as much support as the first time. The meme suggests that its maker doesn't know the difference between investing and invading. I'd imagine that they're viewing OFWs and FDIs as a game of invaders. Invade the country before the other country can invade yours? Apparently, people rejoicing at Jollibee's growth rate worldwide are probably now shouting, "Pinoy pride! The Philippines is conquering the world!" 

I'd say "Jollibee proves that the Philippines can survive opening to MNCs. (read here)" I can only expect more foolish answers like, "What? Are you going to let MNCs invade us? We're invading other countries through Jollibee and OFWs! We are now conquering before the foreigners can conquer us." However, my favorite rebuttal is that Jollibee has opened across many countries but none became Philippine territory. Instead, where OFWs and Jollibees choose to be, they must follow the rules of that country. Jollibee invests in Vietnam and it must follow the rules of the Communist state. Jollibee invests in the USA and it must follow American laws. Jollibee must still pay taxes, follow labor laws, and the like, if these branches expect to continue doing business in those countries. 

The illustration of MNCs doing business in one's country is like leasing a space. A tenant continues to be able to do business in one's space if they pay properly. A lessor collects rent per month and failure to pay rent means eviction. If Jollibee refuses to pay rent and starts acting like it's invading the country--those branches will be subjected to closure. MNCs are required to follow international laws where they invest. They don't go planting their country's flags and claiming that country for their country. Instead, they pledge allegiance to that country for as long as they do business. If I'm in Singapore, I should still respect Singaporean laws and sing its National Anthem during flag ceremonies. 

Jollibee did business in other countries without ownership restrictions of FDIs or countries that benefit from FDIs. No, FDIs don't include remittances from sugar daddies, marriage to foreigners, foreign debt, or selling the country to foreigners! I've been saying that repeatedly yet some people refuse to get it. Singapore let many MNCs in and I don't see any reason why Jollibee can't be allowed to enter Singapore. The late Lee Kuan Yew valued Filipino workers during the Asian crisis. Jollibee did business in Singapore because of the latter's FDI-friendly policies. Although Indian Singaporean professor Kishore Mahbubani may be a Hindu (and Hindus don't eat beef), he probably wouldn't mind Jollibee's presence if it creates jobs and brings capital to Singapore's economy.

With Jollibee in mind--it's a reason to open up the economy further. Jollibee is getting rich in other countries too. However, Jollibee (like any MNC) only keeps what's left after taxes (read here). Jollibee wouldn't be able to invest worldwide if it wasn't for countries that willingly accepted it. When Jollibee invested here and there, they didn't bring tanks and planes to conquer the country. Instead, Jollibee's staff bowed down to that country and followed the by-rules of that country. In fact, these countries were Jollibee benefited never became a colony of foreign businessmen. Instead, these countries have progressed because they're more FDI friendly and the economic restrictions not hard-coded into the constitution.