Jollibee was founded in the Philippines in 1978 by Tony Tan Caktiong.
Tan Caktiong began with an ice-cream parlor in Quezon City, then expanded into hot meals and sandwiches as customer preferences changed. The business adopted the Jollibee name and developed into a major Philippine fast-food chain.
Jollibee is especially associated with Chickenjoy fried chicken, Jolly Spaghetti, and its bee mascot. The company later expanded internationally, serving Filipino communities and other customers worldwide.
The original ice-cream business is an important part of the story, but Jollibee is not simply an ice-cream chain. Its growth came from adapting its menu to local tastes.