Are these tears of sadness or of (chicken)joy? Let’s say both.
It’s the end of an era. And possibly the beginning of a beautiful love story. Australia’s last Sizzler site is set to be demolished to make way for three new fast-food sites, including what’s hoped to be the long-awaited and much-anticipated first Australian Jollibee outlet.
According to reports from news.com.au, plans for the old Campbelltown Sizzler site in Greater Western Sydney – which has sat empty since 2020 when Sizzler closed the last of its nine remaining restaurants (*sob*) – will include three new separate buildings: a Taco Bell, a Krispy Kreme and a Jollibee.
The plans have development consent from Campbelltown City Council, however there is no set start date for building at this stage.
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If you’ve never had Jollibee before, you’re in for a real treat.Credit: Getty Images
Aussie Jollibee fans who have been impatiently waiting for their Chickenjoy to arrive may take this news with a grain of salt. More than three years ago, The Philippines Times reported that Jollibee had plans to open its first Australian outpost in Campbelltown, but this fell through due to unspecified “administrative challenges”.
However, as we reported earlier this year, Jollibee honchos have since spoken of plans to expand to Australia within the next two years. This latest news adds further credence to these claims. So this could finally be it, people. Just maybe don’t hold your breath, as there has yet to be any official announcement.
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Jollibee: Australia is calling.Credit: Getty Images / LordRunar
What is Jollibee?
Jollibee is a Filipino fast-food chain with a cult following. You’ll recognise it by its logo of a giant smiling bee in a chef’s hat. The most popular menu items here include Chickenjoy fried chicken and Jolly Spaghetti. Yes, spaghetti.
There are more Jollibees in the Philippines than McDonald’s – more than 1200 Jollibees to McDonald’s 800+. It’s possibly the only country where a local chain is more popular than the usually ever-dominant Golden Arches. Filipino McDonald’s restaurants have even copied the Jollibee menu format, offering almost identical menu items such as spaghetti and fried chicken, along with McDonald’s regulars. There are also Jollibees to be found across Southeast Asia, and in Canada and the US, as well as Western Europe and the Middle East.
The new Australian Jollibee – if it actually transpires – will be coming in swinging. The proposed new site is right in the thick of a fast-food jungle, with a McDonald’s, a KFC, a Hungry Jack’s and an Oporto already in residence.
So watch out, worker bees – the queen is coming.
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