Jollibee closes stores in China !-- -- Iris Gonzales (The Philippine Star) - February 5, 2020 - 12:00am MANILA, Philippines Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) has temporarily closed 14 stores in China as part of efforts to contain the novel coronavirus.

In a disclosure yesterday, JFC said the 14 Yonghe King stores are located in the province of Hubei where Wuhan City is located. The 14 stores will remain closed as part of the Chinese government's effort to contain the virus.

JFC said the stores represent less than one percent of the total JFC store network and 3.6 percent of the total store network in China.

The listed food conglomerate believes the coronavirus epidemic is only temporary and will soon be contained. JFC is taking necessary measures to protect the health of all its employees in China such as allowing employees to work from home, providing them health guidelines to keep them and their families healthy and safe, including providing them with protective masks.

The company said it is committed to growing the business despite the setback and would continue expanding in China. "While it is too early to determine the total impact of the novel coronavirus on its business in China, JFC remains very committed to keep building and growing a profitable business in China.

For 2020, it plans to open more stores in China, mostly Yonghe King, in line with its goals to become a significant player in the restaurant industry in China. It envisions to build at least 1,000 stores in the People's Republic of China in the next few years and that China will provide a significant contribution to the profit of Jollibee Foods Corp.

," JFC said. The novel coronavirus originated from Wuhan in China and is considered by the World Health Organization as a global health emergency.

JFC operates the largest food service network in the country with 3,316 restaurants. Abroad, it has 2,657 stores.

China accounts for 6.5 percent of JFC store network and 7.

4 percent of global systemwide sales.

© Pakistan Press International, source Asianet-Pakistan