MANILA, Philippines. 13 December 2023 – Jollibee Group’s President and CEO Ernesto Tanmantiong was recently named as the “Management Person of the Year 2023” by the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) and was conferred the award on November 28, 2023 at the Shangri-la Hotel The Fort.

In his acceptance speech, Tanmantiong credited the success of the company to the hardworking Jollibee Group team. “All of this would not have been possible without the dedication of all the people who have worked at Jollibee Group throughout the years. Without their passion, their love for the brand and country, their belief that this company is something worth sharing to the world, we would not be where we are today,” shared Tanmantiong.

Looking back on its 45-year history, the Jollibee Group has indeed come a long way. From its small ice cream house beginnings started by Tanmantiong’s family in 1975, it has now become a global player carrying 18 brands with over 6,600 stores spanning 34 countries.

But even before those early years, Ernesto Tanmantiong was already exposed to the food business when he was a child as he helped in his father’s Chinese restaurant back in Davao City. From his father, he learned the values of hard work, listening to customers and a passion for excellence – values that he would take along with him through the years from busboy to working student at Jollibee, to Store Manager and eventually as he became the Chief Operating Officer and ultimately the Chief Executive Officer of the Jollibee Group of Companies.

According to Atty. Lilia B. de Lima, the award’s judging committee chairperson, Tanmantiong was chosen for “being able to accelerate Jollibee’s globalization and transform it into one of the world’s largest, fastest-growing restaurants.”

He ushered in a new era of globalization for the Jollibee Group, demonstrating that Filipino companies can compete with the best of the best in the world and succeed.

“Seeing how Jollibee has filled the hearts and plates of Filipinos, our dream grew with the earnest desire to bring our homegrown Jollibee to the world. The globalization of the Jollibee Group began with the expansion of the Jollibee brand,” Tanmantiong said.

“We first aimed to cater to the overseas Filipino community abroad, opening in Filipino-heavy locales so we could bring them the joy of home through their Jollibee favorites. Secondly, in our ongoing crossover stage, we started catering to the mainstream non-Filipino market in each country, from which we’re starting to see great results,” he added.

Today, 80% of the customer base in Jollibee stores in the United Kingdom are local non-Filipinos, and over 60% and 70% in Hong Kong and Singapore respectively. Moreover, the number goes up to 95% in Brunei and almost 100% in Vietnam.

Record-breaking sales and profit

With Tanmantiong’s leadership, the company achieved record-breaking sales and operating income, posting a spectacular and quick turnaround from its first-ever loss due to the pandemic even when the hard-hit restaurant industry was still struggling to recover. Jollibee Group’s sales and operating income reached record highs in 2022, increasing by 40.2% and 58.4% respectively from 2021. As it was, 2021 had also been a defining achievement as the company returned to the profitability of pre-pandemic levels through strong cost and profit management.

The company also grew its fastest under Tanmantiong – opening the greatest number of stores. In 2022, Jollibee Group opened 542 new stores across the globe–the highest in a single year. Jollibee Foods’ stock price also exceeded the market performance that year with 6.3% growth. As of the latest quarter of 2023, the company has outperformed even the record-high sales and operating income of 2022, achieving the best-ever first three quarters in the history of JFC.

The Jollibee Group was also honored to be among TIME Magazine’s World’s Best Companies and was the only Philippine-based company given the Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award. The company was also named in Forbes’ list of the World’s Best Employers for three consecutive years, with the Jollibee Group being the highest-ranking restaurant company even among international restaurants and the highest-ranking Philippine-based company in 2022.

“These results and the continued recognition we receive only show that by staying true to our mission of serving great-tasting food and bringing the joy of eating to everyone, we can overcome the biggest challenges and emerge stronger with an even brighter, more joyful future ahead of us,” said Tanmantiong.

Tanmantiong dedicated the award to his wife, children, family, the JFC Board of Directors and to his brother, Founder and Chief Taste Officer, Dr. Tony Tan Caktiong.

De Lima said the award is given by MAP to individuals in business or government who have attained distinction in management and have made valuable contributions to the country. During its almost six-decade history, the award was given only 47 times as the search involves a very stringent process. The award’s criteria, according to de Lima, include integrity, exceptional ability in performing management functions; prestige, and distinction in the business community; and tangible contributions nationwide, among others.

This year’s judging committee is composed of awardees in previous years, namely: Makati Business Club Chairperson Edgar O. Chua in 2013, PHINMA Corporation Chair and CEO Ramon del Rosario, Jr. in 2010, Institute of Corporate Directors Chairman Emeritus Jesus P. Estanislao in 2009, Starr International Insurance Philippines Branch Chairman Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. in 2007, Capital Shares Investment Corporation Chair and President Ambassador Jesus P. Tambunting in 2003, and RCBC Vice-chairman Cesar E.A. Virata in 1981.