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A decorative bucket of Jollibee chicken appears through the Halo sculpture along M-59 Hall Road Jan. 11. Sterling Heights officials cite the presence of new restaurants like Jollibee as the fulfillment of their vision for a “Golden Corridor” along Hall Road.
Photo by Patricia O'Blenes
STERLING HEIGHTS — A famous Filipino restaurant chain has planted a new presence in Sterling Heights, and locals hope that it will make the M-59 corridor the place to “bee.”
Jan. 12 is the official public opening day for the first Jollibee fast-food restaurant in Michigan. The restaurant prominently stands in Sterling Heights, near M-59/Hall Road, east of Schoenherr Road, where a Denny’s used to be.
Some of the Jollibee chain’s signature offerings include “Chickenjoy” fried chicken, spaghetti, “Yumburger” burgers, peach mango pies and more. While the chain was founded in the Philippines, its first U.S. location opened in California in 1998.
According to Jollibee’s website, it has over 1,500 locations worldwide, including 72 U.S. locations.
Sterling Heights officials have been anticipating a Jollibee location in the city since 2021, and some officials, including the mayor and other City Council members, were invited to attend a Jan. 11 preview event at the new eatery.
Crystal Roxas, who was working at the event with the promotions team for Jollibee, explained that the restaurant chain “has always been wanting to spread joy.”
“And we’re very, very honored to have our first store in Michigan,” she said, “and I hope that the people from Michigan will enjoy and be happy, like Jollibee, and enjoy our fried chicken – Chickenjoy – and my personal favorite, peach mango pie.”
The arrival of several new restaurants along M-59/Hall Road over the last few years, such as Portillo’s and BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, has helped fulfill the vision that Sterling Heights officials have had for what they call the “Golden Corridor” along M-59.
Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor told the Sentry that his city has a big Filipino community, and he called Jollibee’s concept and products interesting.
“It’s really cool whenever you have a restaurant like this, the first in the state, coming like this in Sterling Heights,” he said.
“It’s going to be in the Golden Corridor. This is … another example of showing that businesses want to be in Sterling Heights; they want to be on Hall Road. It’s a great location, especially with the anticipation of what’s going on with Lakeside. … I’m hoping it’s getting to showcase Sterling Heights to a wider audience of people.”
Stacy Ziarko, the president and CEO of the Connect Macomb chamber of commerce, said she has talked to people from the Filipino community, as well as people who have tried Jollibee while in Toronto or Chicago. She said they are excited to see the restaurant coming here.
“They say, ‘You need to try this,’” Ziarko said. “It’s just so cool for Sterling Heights to get something with this much enthusiasm behind it.”
According to a Jan. 10 Jollibee USA Facebook post, the Sterling Heights store opening promised to include prizes for the first eligible customers of the day – who spend $20 or more – each day of its first three days of operation.
The prize for Jan. 12 is free Chickenjoy monthly between February 2024 and January 2025, while the prize for Jan. 13 is a free beanie, and the prize for Jan. 14 is a free tote bag, the post added.
The new Jollibee can be found at 44945 Woodridge Drive in Sterling Heights. Visit jollibeefoods.com for more company information, or facebook.com/JollibeeUS to learn more about the opening day prizes.
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