Jollibee Closes Its First Outlet in S’pore After a Decade on the 6th Floor of Lucky Plaza

End of an Era: Jollibee’s First Singapore Outlet at Lucky Plaza Closes After 10 Years

Crispylicious! Juicylicious!

These words bring back fond memories for many as they recall the arrival of Jollibee, the bundle of joy from the Philippines, to Singapore in 2013.

This marked the opening of the first Singapore outlet of Jollibee at Lucky Plaza, specifically on the sixth floor.

This momentous occasion was just the beginning of an impressive expansion that saw the establishment of 16 outlets across Singapore, including unique locations such as a drive-thru and takeaway kiosk at the Jurong West Caltex station.

As is widely known, Jollibee, the beloved Filipino fast-food chain, offers a unique twist on traditional fast food.

It’s particularly renowned for its legendary Jolly Spaghetti and rice-based dishes, which have garnered a large following.

The origin story of Jollibee is equally fascinating. In 1975, Filipino businessman and investor Tony Tan Caktiong, along with his family, opened a Magnolia ice cream parlour in Cubao, Quezon City.

As time went by, the outlet began to serve hot meals and sandwiches, which quickly overshadowed the popularity of their ice cream.

This led to the transformation of the ice cream parlour into a full-fledged fast-food restaurant, marking the birth of the first Jollibee outlet in 1978.

Jollibee’s journey of growth was rapid and expansive. After establishing a strong presence in the Philippines, it ventured overseas, opening its first international outlet in Taiwan in 1986.

This was followed by a steady expansion to other countries, including the United States, Singapore, Italy, Qatar, and China.

Today, the fast-food giant boasts over 1,500 outlets globally, a number that has nearly doubled in the last decade.

Jollibee’s global journey has been marked by widespread love and support, particularly in Singapore, where it has cultivated a significant fan base.

However, it is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of the Jollibee outlet at Lucky Plaza Level 6, effective from 30 Nov yesterday.

While this iconic branch is shutting its doors, Jollibee enthusiasts can find solace in the fact that the basement one outlet at Lucky Plaza, along with other stores islandwide, will remain open.

The reason behind the closure of this original branch remains undisclosed, sparking a wave of nostalgia and speculation among loyal customers.

Some theorise that the decision may be linked to rising rental costs, citing examples like hawker stall lots charging $6,111 a month.

In tribute to this special outlet, Jollibee hosted a heartfelt ‘Thank You Party’, complete with an appearance by the Jollibee mascot.

This event, announced on Facebook, was Jollibee’s way of expressing gratitude for the unwavering support of its fans.

Attendees had the opportunity to win attractive prizes, provided they spent a minimum of $18 at the party.

As we bid farewell to this pioneering branch, many fans have shared their nostalgic memories online.

Some reminisced about the initial frenzy, with queues stretching up to three hours at the grand opening.

For many, this was their first taste of Jollibee in Singapore, saving them the trip overseas.

While some fans are already missing the unique offerings of the first branch, others are foreseeing the longer queue at its basement one branch in the same building.

However, it’s not all sadness.

The closure of this branch serves as a reminder of Jollibee’s enduring legacy and its ability to connect people through food.

While the first outlet may have closed, at least Jollibee did not just disappear in a flash.