Jollibee Group has expanded its inclusive hiring program for senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) to the Visayas for the first time, through a new partnership with the Cebu City Government announced in late September 2026.

Under the agreement, qualified senior citizens and PWDs will be hired for customer relations and other customer-facing roles at 36 participating stores across four of the group's brands: Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich and Burger King. Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival attended the signing.

The city government will handle applicant intake and profiling, health clearances, training, information drives and monitoring. Jollibee Group will provide job orientation and training, and will open payroll bank accounts for new hires free of charge.

"Bringing this program to Cebu City is an important step in making inclusive employment opportunities available to more Filipinos across the country," said Joseph Tanbuntiong, CEO of Jollibee Group Philippines and Head of Jollibee Brand Global. "As we grow and serve more communities, we also want to create meaningful opportunities for people who have the capacity and desire to contribute."

Ruth Angeles, Chief Human Resources Officer of Jollibee Group Philippines, said the company "believe[s] in honoring the invaluable role of every member of society, regardless of age or ability," adding that "inclusion becomes more meaningful when opportunities are made real, accessible, and purposeful for the people who need them most."

A growing program

The program started in 2019 and has benefited more than 1,000 senior citizens and PWDs nationwide. In 2025 alone, Jollibee Group hired 451 people under the program: 166 deaf-mute employees and 285 senior citizens. The Cebu expansion follows a partnership with the Taguig City Government in June 2026, under which 16 company-owned outlets each hired two senior citizens and one PWD for lobby roles such as order assistance and guest relations.

The program is part of Jollibee Group's "Joy For Tomorrow" sustainability agenda.

Why it matters

The move comes as local governments in Cebu push for more inclusive employment. In July 2026, the Cebu Provincial Board passed a resolution urging businesses to hire PWDs, senior citizens and other marginalized groups. Under Republic Act 10524, government agencies must reserve at least 1% of positions for PWDs, while private companies with more than 100 employees are encouraged to do the same.