White Castle crowds are so October. The buzz this month is all about Jollibee.
Back in October, MXSW was the first to break the news that the fast-food chain known as ‘‘the McDonald’s of the Philippines’’ would make its Arizona debut in Chandler by the end of the year.
That opening finally will happen at 7 a.m. Saturday in the former Slim Chickens building on the northwest corner of Gilbert and Germann. And the line already has started forming.
That’s right. At least one diehard fan – Irene Daguio Ballesteros-Shields of Mesa – began camping out at the restaurant in 40-degree temperatures on Christmas night.
On Saturday, the first 50 fans in line who make a purchase of $25 or more will win a year’s supply of Jolly Crispy Chicken (a six-piece bucket every month).
The restaurant also will be awarding Jollibee Funko Pop! figures to those carrying the most unique banners or posters with the hashtag #ItsOurTurn.
Besides its fried chicken, Jollibee’s popular menu items include Yum Burgers, Jolly Spaghetti (with slices of ham and hot dog), peach-mango hand pies, and halo-halo (shaved ice sundaes).
Jolibee was founded in the Phillippines in 1978 and has grown to more than 4,600 locations in 21 countries.
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