WINNIPEG, CANADA - Winnipeg’s proud Filipino community is behind Philippines fast-food chain Jollibee’s decision to open its first Canadian restaurant right here in River City, the company said.

The largest fast-food chain in Asia, Jollibee, opened the first of two planned stores in Winnipeg. The second to be opened in spring of 2017.

“We are thrilled that Jollibee has chosen Winnipeg as its first location in Canada. The city’s Filipino community has an immense presence in our Province and community leaders such as Jon Reyes have worked hard to promote the Filipino culture,” says Mariette Mulaire, President & CEO, WTC Winnipeg.

The much-anticipated restaurant chain had Filipino-Canadians assuming the biggest cities in Canada would be home to the first Canadian store. But the company chose to start out in Winnipeg, home to Canada’s third-largest, and highest per capita, Filipino population.

"Some people would say you have to be in Toronto, or you have to be in Vancouver," adds Maribeth dela Cruz, Vice-President of Jollibee Foods Corp. North America said at a press conference Wednesday. "But we are so confident to be here in Winnipeg."

Jollibee in Winnipeg is the 35th store in North America. Across the Philippines, Jollibee has opened almost 1,000 stores and has more than 3,000 locations globally, including in the U.S., across Asia and the Middle East.