JOLLIBEE HAWAII FAILS TO DELIVER ITS MISSION!
January 20, 2012, Honolulu, Hawaii-
In matters of fair and honest journalism, I approved and posted the comment below.
I am not wondering how a sore loser struggles, crawls, and suffers in extreme agony to accept the repercussions of his CARELESS BONEHEADEDNESS.Reality hurts. What a pity really! But, I do understand. I sincerely understand!
Who wouldn’t be mad and furious to a writer, whose honest evaluation caused one’s business that is supposed to be a fast-food chain, but turned out to be dumpster, that not even flies would dare to fly? Go figure.
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My stepfather-in-law, Mr. Jerry Oba just said this morning, during our breakfast that “Oh you know what? That Filipino (because he is a local with Okinawan ancestry) place you investigated, before yeah, lots of line, yeah, now no more! The foods suck that’s why, yeah?” And I just smiled to acknowledge.
Last month, few days before Christmas, my mother-in-law, Felipa and I went to meet my Aunty Generosa (Barsatan) at Ala Moana for the two to tend to Mama’s retirement.
After 3 hours of going around Honolulu, Ma and I decided to treat Aunty at Jollibee Ala Moana.
So I said, “Aunty, let’s eat, coz I haven’t had my lunch and breakfast yet, when we went to pick you up, and I am really, really starving. Let’s go try it! Please!” As I begged her. But Aunty Generosa answer was “No, balasan ko (which means my dear lady in Ilokano, a dialect in the Philippines used by most people from the northern provinces), ayaw ko (meaning and stressing I don’t like!)”
Furthermore, Aunty said “My daughter in law and son, just brought me there. Naku balasan ko, hindi mo magugustuhan!” She further stressed out, and which means “You wouldn’t like it!”
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Among all negative attitudes in life, I HATE PREJUDICE! For I base my evaluation on extensive research, and then document everything. Simply because, it is my utmost intention not to discredit subject, but to correct what is ill, crook, dysfunctional and malovent of nature.
And most importantly, for me to come up with a strong basis of FACTS on evaluating anyone or anything that I am writing of.
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Jollibee Hawaii
JOLLIBEE HAWAII FAILS TO DELIVER ITS MISSION!
By Sabiniana Balagtas Baliba
05/27/2011
Jollibee, the Philippines’ No.1 fastfood chain, finally opened on December 14, 2010, its first Hawaii outlet. This company had enjoyed a non-stop phenomenal success, since it opened for business in 1975. Now on its 35th year, Jollibee has 703 stores all over the Philippines, with branches in 20 more other countries, and in the United States: 22 in California, 2 in Nevada, 1 each in Washington and New York. Their mission is “To serve great tasting food, bringing the joy of eating to everyone.” And its vision is: “We are the best tasting QSR…The most endearing brand…that has ever been…We will lead in product taste at all times…We will provide FSC excellence in every encounter…Happiness in every moment…By year 2020, with over 4,000 stores worldwide, Jollibee is truly a GLOBAL BRAND, and the Filipino will be admired worldwide.” However, both these statements would be meaningless, if all Jollibee outlets will do way beyond what they committed to deliver.
That two highly significant statements of Jollibee has caused this fast food chain not only a powerful impression, but also high expectations from all its patrons around globe. And unfortunately, Jollibee Hawaii failed to deliver that mission of serving great tasting food that could really bring the joy of eating to everyone for the following reasons: Foods were missing the authentic Filipino taste, just how those foods originally tasted back home, in the Philippines. What’s worse, customers have to bear the long wait from placing their order to serving, or having the foods on their table. And last, but not the least, the availabilities of all-time favorites like Champ (an upscale, quarter pounder burger), “Lumpiang Shanghai” (pork egg roll), Jolly Hotdog (a hotdog sandwich), Macaroni Soup and the Breakfast Joys (that can truly brighten someone’s morning); breakfast items consisting of fried rice, egg, “langgonisa” (pork link), or “tocino” (sweetened pork) and “tapa” (a Spanish inspired marinated beef) were missing. Those menu items were big hits in Manila; moreover, those are all time-favorites that make Jollibee distinctive to its competitors. For an avid patron like me, that was really disappointing.
I’m a big fan of Jollibee way back on the 80s, during my childhood days in the Philippines, when my Mom always treat us for a Chicken Joy (fried chicken) after a Sunday Mass. So when I migrated here in 2006, having at least one Jollibee in Honolulu had always been my dream. There were even days I craved and drooled for Champ (a quarter-pounder, upscale burger), Chicken Joy and Spaghetti Fiesta (sweet flavored spaghetti). The opening of the first Hawaii outlet of “Langhap-Sarap” (which means savory delicious in Filipino, and the famous slogan of Jollibee) seemed like an answered prayer for me. They opened strategically in the heart of Waipahu Shopping Plaza, and as expected, thousands and thousands of the Pinoy (Filipino) community went to check-out the place and had a taste of home (Manila).
To avoid the rush, my family and I visited the outlet on Saturday of January 22, 2011. But to our surprise, there were still long lines. We waited an hour to get to the counter and another 15 minutes to have our food on the table. I was so starved. While in line, we browsed on the big menu on top the counter and so with the little ones handed out by a young Filipina. I was dismayed not to see my favorites like Champ, Lumpiang Shanghai, Jolly Hotdog, and the ice cream sundaes not on the menus.
The Chicken Joy wasn’t as good as it was in the Philippines. It wasn’t as fresh, juicy and crunchy as it was famous for, and so with the french fries that tasted really old. The spaghetti was a little different too, although it has the sweet flavor, the garnishing wasn’t the same as the original Spaghetti Fiesta. The “Palabok” (angel hair noodles, topped with rich fish sauce, garnished with green onions, egg and pork cubes) came out too watery; the sauce wasn’t thick as it should be.
I had to convince myself for another visit, just to check if there was some progress in the promptness of the service and improvements on the quality of foods, but unfortunately there wasn’t any. I also spoke to families and friends who have gone to the place, just to check their comments with mine, and everyone agreed that the waiting time was unbearable, and the foods tasted different from how they tasted in Manila.
There were few good things though that I was pleased with Jollibee Waipahu. First, was the job creation. A total of 150 jobs were created from opening the business in the State of Hawaii. Second, was the neatness of the service crews; everyone was in proper uniform, with matching hair nets and name plates; they were all looking good and tidy. And they were all courteous. The gravy was good as always. There were add-ons like mashed potatoes and the pearl coolers, which were not available in the Philippines. In addition, most of the servings were huge compared to the ones in Manila. Last but not the least, the presence of the bus boys that kept tables clean and ready for the next customers. But all of these would be meaningless if the company’s mission and vision statement aren’t met.
The mission and vision statements of Jollibee served as their overall organization’s pledge of commitment to the Filipino people. Therefore, all outlets, be local or international have to live up fulfilling both statements. It should even strive to do more if possible, but there’s no way that they should allow themselves to do business less than what they promised. All outlets should uphold that legacy of bringing and warmly serving all the authentic “langhap-sarap” goodness that enabled them to endear our hearts, and made them successful all these years. And that’s the best way that Jollibee could give back and thank us, and all of our “kababayans” (fellow countrymen) all over the world for our priceless patronage and loyalty.
In conclusion, Jollibee Hawaii indeed failed to deliver its mission of serving great tasting food that could bring joy in eating. Because how can there be joy if the foods taste aren’t so great and different from what we, faithful patronizers have been accustomed to? How can there be joy if paying customers suffers from long hours of standing and waiting just to get to the counter, and only to get junky foods in the end? How can there be joy if we look at the menu and our favorites aren’t there? Well, I hope Jollibee Hawaill will fix all these careless lapses. It’s very doable, and of course, the sooner, the better. I truly hope it shapes up and give our money’s worth.
08/09/2011
As of this writing, Jollibee Hawaii now serving breakfast meals, and lumpiang shanghai (pork egg roll). But there’s still waiting time and it’s unbearable, despite over staffing of service crews. And the quality of foods compared to the ones in the Philippines, is not even close, very disappointing. I wonder, if anyone from the main office monitors the production of foods that are being served in all international outlets. Because even if is mostly franchise owners running the outlets, from my knowledge, there are policies or standards on the quality of foods that all outlets should adhere to uphold its reputation. I really hope that they do have a department that monitors the quality of food being serve in all international outlets. If none, they should really consider. For Jollibee is more than a fast food chain for us Filipinos. It is a part of our culture, part of every Filipino kid’s childhood, and the flag bearer of the Philippines in the fast food industry.
11/27/2011
Today, I just received a comment in response to this blog from a certain “Jollibee Kid.” And in matters of fairness, I would like to share it to all of you. Also, I want to give those folks a chance to explain their side. The comments stated as follow:
Fortunately, Jollibee Hawaii has overly succeeded to deliver that mission of serving great tasting food that could really bring the joy of eating to everyone for the following reasons: Foods have the authentic Filipino taste, just how those foods originally tasted back home, in the Philippines, they may not be perfect because no one food establishment is perfect to the tee but they definitely do try their best and their best should be good enough especially when targeting a mainland customer base delivering unique Filipino American flavor to the USA. What’s best, customers do not have to bear too much long waits from placing their order to serving, or having the foods on their table. They have you take a number and serve you promptly if they do not have it right away. And last, but not the least, the availabilities of all-time favorites like Champ (an upscale, quarter pounder burger), “Lumpiang Shanghai” (pork egg roll), Jolly Hotdog (a hotdog sandwich), Macaroni Soup and the Breakfast Joys (that can truly brighten someone’s morning); breakfast items consisting of fried rice, egg, “langgonisa” (pork link), or “tocino” (sweetened pork) and “tapa” (a Spanish inspired marinated beef) are slowly but surely emerging from their menu. Jollibee is truly growing and expanding in Hawaii/USA and now they have one in Ala Moana!
A piece of advice: I used dates to back up my story, reflected by receipts. So please, don’t you dare taint my credibility, because I would never allow you to! Stop washing your hands, and just admit you are at fault. And have the courage to say sorry instead, and shape up. For those are all that you can do to redeem yourself.
But if accepting your mistakes is something so hard for you to do, then don’t. But at least, learn to accept constructive criticism, for only in that way you can correct your lapses and improve yourself. And if you don’t recognize and acknowledge your mistakes, you are not only adding insult to an injury, but, likewise, making your own recipe for disaster.
And by the way, LEARN HOW TO WRITE IN YOUR OWN WORDS! And STOP COPYING (especially in verbatim) other people’s writings. For PLAGIARIZING IS STEALING. So please, HAVE SOME DECENCY at least!
Having that kind of junky attitude proves that you are nothing but a SORE LOSER, bound to nowhere, but to fall and fail! So good luck!
Thank, Diana for dropping by and reading my blog. I am glad that you feel the same way. But i feel sorry as fellow JOLLIBEE fanatic. That’s why I hope they shape up, and give our loyalty’s worth.
I get your point, i too am disappointed by the lack of filipino taste in the food. At first, i was annoyed, that i waited in a long line, so excited to finally taste Jolibee for the first time i came to hawaii, only to realize it was not the same. But, im just thankful that there’s a Jolibee here, and even though the food taste different, at least it’s close enough to feel like home. Im not sure about the Jolibee in Ala Moana, but the one in Waipahu, i can say is a big hit. Overall, all im saying it’s better than nothing.