Jollibee padlocks 14 Yonghe King restaurants in Hubei, China due to coronavirus outbreak

The stores represent less than 1% of the company’s total store network.

Philippine fast food giant Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC) has temporarily shut down 14 of its Yonghe King noodle restaurants in Hubei province, China in light of the outbreak of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

Wuhan City, considered the epicenter of the nCoV outbreak, is located in Hubei.

JFC said the closure was in accordance with the Chinese government’s efforts to contain the spread of the virus.

“The 14 stores represent less than 1% of the total JFC store network and 3.6% of the total store network in China,” the company said in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange.

JFC has a total of 5,973 stores worldwide comprised of 3,316 in the Philippines, 389 in China, 1,572 in North America, and 696 in Europe, Middle East and other parts of Asia.

China accounts for 6.5% of the company’s store network and 7.4% of the global system wide sales.

“While it is too early to determine the total impact of the novel coronavirus on its business in China, JFC remains very committed to keep building and growing a profitable business in China,” the fast food giant said.

“For 2020, it plans to open more stores in China, mostly Yonghe King, in line with it(s) goal to become a significant player in the restaurant industry in China,” it said.

JFC said it envisions to build at least 1,000 stores in China in the next few years.

Photo credit: Yonghe King