BIZ BUZZ: Oh joy! Jollibee is fave brand in Southeast Asia

The iconic Chickenjoy is taking the world by storm, besting global giants in the hearts—and bellies—of consumers.

Thus, it should come as no surprise that homegrown fast-food chain Jollibee has emerged as Southeast Asia’s No. 1 brand, based on marketing analytics firm Campaign Asia’s latest study.

The company led by tycoon Tony Tan Caktiong had an overall score of 67.35 percent, pushing past South Korean fast-food brand Lotteria with 64 percent.

READ: Jollibee eyes yet another global brand

Jollibee no longer seems to be batting an eye about how its largest competitor, McDonald’s, seems to be faring. To be fair, McDonald’s isn’t that far behind: It scored 62.3 percent and ended third.

During its recent media briefings, Jollibee seems to be watching KFC, its other international competitor, more closely. The US-founded fried chicken maker ranked fourth with 61.5 percent.

Country-wise, Jollibee, of course, ranked first with 72.25 percent.

“Its high scoring across most categories in the Philippines ultimately secured it the top overall across [Southeast Asia] in the food sector,” Campaign said.

Indeed, domestic consumers have been doing the heavy lifting for Jollibee. In fact, the company has been doing so well thanks to its Philippine operations that it decided to call off plans to raise P8 billion from a preferred share offering.

It went as far as cutting by at least 20 percent its P23-billion budget allocation for the year. Let’s hope the good performance continues! —Meg J. Adonis

‘Fix Naia before hiking airport fees’

When the 20-year-old baggage handling system at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 3 conked out this week, over 800 pieces of luggage of Cebu Pacific passengers were left stranded.

As a result, the airline, along with New Naia Infra Corp. (NNIC), has been expediting efforts to deliver the bags to the passengers. The issue, which started on Oct. 18, was resolved on Oct. 23, when the baggage handling operations were restored to normal operations.

READ: BIZ BUZZ: Naia parking fees set to soar

For this very reason, consumer group CitizenWatch Philippines said that the new Naia caretaker should focus first on making the airport’s operations better before implementing fee hikes that would burden the passengers.

“Imposing all these fee adjustments while immediately failing customers just weeks after the takeover of the Naia by NNIC is clearly not the best way to win the confidence and support of the passengers and the traveling public,” said Kit Belmonte, the group’s co-convener.

“Sadly, this is yet another blow to the reputation of Naia, further worsening its notoriety,” he added.

Belmonte, as such, called for the further review of airport fee hikes, including the takeoff and landing fees.

NNIC, for its part, said that it had ordered a new baggage system to prevent future disruptions. —Tyrone Jasper C. Piad