Jollibee's Tim Ho Wan sharpens US growth plan with full North America control

share on

twitter /
facebook /
linkedin /
- email
- telegram
- whatsapp
- wechat
- pinterest
- line
- snapchat
- reddit

Tim Ho Wan is taking full ownership of its North America business as Jollibee Foods Corporation and Japanese restaurant operator WDI Corporation realign their long-running joint venture ties across North America and Japan.

Jollibee Group said that its wholly owned brand has signed deals with WDI that will see Tim Ho Wan buy WDI’s 30% stake in the North America master franchise joint venture. In turn, WDI will buy Tim Ho Wan’s 30% stake in the Japan joint venture that holds the brand’s unit franchise rights in the country.

The deal will give Tim Ho Wan full ownership and control of its North America platform, while WDI will take full ownership of the franchise rights vehicle for Japan. The transaction is subject to closing terms and regulatory approval and is due to close in the third quarter of 2026.

Don't miss: Jollibee Group eyes Taiwan expansion with Tim Ho Wan's 32-store target

For Tim Ho Wan, the North America deal is aimed at giving the brand more room to grow in one of Jollibee Group’s key overseas markets. The brand will gain the ability to run, grow and franchise its business in the region on its own, as well as choose local franchise partners.

Tim Ho Wan will pay WDI about US$5.05 million for its 30% North America stake.

Once the deal closes, the North America platform will have five US stores: three owned by the company and two run by franchisees. Tim Ho Wan will take over its New York and Hawaii stores and manage its Las Vegas and Texas sites.

The brand also plans to grow its US store count from five to 20 by 2028, with franchising and local partners set to play a key role in that push.

“North America is one of Tim Ho Wan’s most important growth markets, and taking full ownership of the platform gives us greater flexibility to invest in, expand and franchise the brand as we pursue its next phase of growth. With full ownership of our North America platform, we can move faster, invest with greater flexibility and expand the brand with a sharper focus on long-term value creation,” said Yeong Sheng Lee, CEO of Tim Ho Wan.

“This realignment allows us to sharpen our focus on markets where we see the greatest long-term opportunity, while enabling our valued partner WDI to do the same in Japan. We are pleased to have reached an outcome that strengthens both businesses and supports the continued growth of the brand.”

The move follows the recent opening of Tim Ho Wan Irvine, its first company-run US site. The brand said the site has helped set a repeatable model for its US business, with future growth expected to rely more on franchising and local development partners.

The US Chinese restaurant market generates about US$29 billion in yearly sales, based on IBISWorld’s 2026 estimates, while Tim Ho Wan sees room to grow in a still fragmented dim sum market.

WDI runs four Tim Ho Wan stores in Japan, with three in Tokyo and one in Osaka. The group’s sites include the brand’s Hibiya flagship.

“We’re proud of what we’ve built together with the Tim Ho Wan and Jollibee Group teams, and equally pleased that our partnership continues, with THW remaining the franchisor, WDI looks forward to continuing on as a valued franchise partner. This step lets each of us focus on the markets where we are best positioned to drive long-term value, and we’re excited about the road ahead together,” said Ken Shimizu, president of WDI Corporation.

Tim Ho Wan, which is known for its Hong Kong dim sum, has been featured in the Michelin Guide for 17 straight years. The brand is one of nine wholly owned brands within Jollibee Group’s portfolio, which spans more than 10,700 stores and cafés across 33 countries.

From AI-powered marketing and the friction economy to retention-led growth, DMA Philippines 2026 on 29 September in Manila will bring together marketers to tackle the opportunities and challenges shaping the next phase of digital transformation.

share on