MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) – the premier and largest association of people managers in the country – named the Jollibee Group as Employer of the Year during its 48th National and Regional Awarding Ceremonies held recently at the Iloilo Convention Center.
Institutionalized in 1977, the PMAP Awards Program recognizes outstanding organizations that successfully fulfill its business objectives as well as its social and people management responsibilities. Following a rigorous evaluation process – complete with multiple panel and employee interviews and random onsite audits – PMAP selected the Jollibee Group as the best among other top-caliber companies for its exemplary human resources (HR)-driven business solutions that create real business performance results and an evident impact on people and the larger community.
The Jollibee Group has exhibited not only a remarkable turnaround from its first-ever net income loss in 2020 due to the pandemic but achieved its highest-ever sales and net operating income in its history in 2022 and set another record high in 2023. Coupled with record-setting business performance, the Jollibee Group’s employee engagement scores continue its trajectory to an all-time high and have been recognized as among the top percentile companies in the world.
“The Jollibee Group has always been committed to fostering a people-centered culture. Guided by our Employer Value Proposition, called ‘Choose Joy,’ we foster an environment where employees can find happiness and fulfillment, ensuring their engagement, development, and overall well-being,” said Jollibee Group Global President and Chief Executive Officer Ernesto Tanmantiong.
“Our ‘Choose Joy’ approach is central to our journey, helping us grow into a global organization while staying true to the values that make Jollibee Group a joyful place to work. When asked about the secret to our success, I always say it’s our people. Other companies could try to copy our brands, systems, equipment, or even our products, but it’s our people that make the difference. This recognition is because of them and is dedicated to them. It is through our people that the Jollibee Group can truly fulfill its mission of bringing the joy of eating to everyone across the globe,” Ernesto added.
People Manager of the Year
PMAP also awarded Jollibee Group Chief Human Resources Officer Arsenio Sabado as “People Manager of the Year.” After a thorough assessment by PMAP, Arsenio was chosen among other outstanding chief HR officers in the country for his “exceptional people management initiatives and programs addressing business and organizational challenges.” He was also selected for exemplifying an outstanding record of related professional experiences, as well as for his significant contributions to the development of the HR profession in the country.
With his track record in strategic leadership and passion for talent development, Arsenio has been a consistent driver of innovation, transforming Jollibee Group’s HR into a world-class function. “The purpose of life is to live a life of purpose. Jollibee Group’s evolution from a local company to one of the world’s largest restaurant companies has inspired me to embrace my role in helping people become the best versions of themselves,” he said.
His commitment to fostering a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and employee empowerment has strengthened the HR’s role in creating a people-centric response to the effects of the pandemic. This enabled the Jollibee Group to achieve record-breaking business performance results and employee engagement, which transformed the Company into an agile, future-resilient organization with bigger global ambitions.
“I am extremely grateful to be working with a dedicated and capable leader like Mr. Sabado, who supports Jollibee Group’s journey towards becoming one of the top five restaurant companies in the world. Our story is not just one of business growth but of people growth—something we remain deeply proud of,” added Ernesto Tanmantiong.
The Jollibee Group, for its part, has been consistently named as an exceptional workplace for its commitment to people engagement. For three consecutive years, starting in 2020, it has been recognized with the Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award – the only Filipino company to be given this recognition. It was also included in TIME Magazine’s World’s Best Companies, as well as in Forbes Magazine’s World’s Best Employers for three straight years.
A joyful place to work in. Jollibee Group’s recent wins as Employer of the Year and People Manager of the Year for its CHRO are a testament to the Company’s people-centered programs that enable employees to become highly productive and highly engaged individuals who find joy at work.
