13 Ordering Mistakes You Might Be Making At Jollibee
If you are a regular at Jollibee, you've come to the right place. Or, perhaps you recently heard about the fast food restaurant and want to know what it's all about. For starters, Jollibee was founded in 1975 in the Philippines but soon after expanded to the United States in 1998. As of 2023, there are 68 Jollibee locations across 13 different states on both coasts. Almost half of the locations are in California, just outside of its most densely populated cities, which could lend to one of the many reasons why some people haven't even heard of the chain.
The restaurant is probably most famous for its fried chicken — called Chickenjoy. Though, their Jolly Spaghetti is nothing to sneeze at either and has some pretty loyal fans. To make the most out of every Jollibee dining experience, it is important to understand a few things about how the restaurant works, the best items to try, and ways to save the most money.
Not ordering through the app
Whether you're a repeat customer or planning your first visit to Jollibee, there's one step you should skip before you go: Download the Jollibee app. Using the app just makes it so much easier to place your order. You can choose from both delivery — where available — and pickup options.
If you like your food hot and fresh, then your best bet is to use the app. So, add all of your favorites to your cart, check out, and head to the store to pick it up. The process is the same for delivery, but it may include some more waiting time depending on how busy the restaurant is.
If available at the location you're ordering from, you can specify whether you want to pick up your order in the dining room, at the drive-thru window, or curbside. When you download the app, you'll be prompted to create a Jollibee account. Doing so will even further simplify your ordering experience because you can save your favorite items for quick and easy re-ordering in the future.
Not looking for coupons before ordering
Unless you like leaving money on the table, you won't want to place a Jollibee order without first checking out the coupons section of the website. Here, you'll find special promo and discount codes that you can use when placing an order to help you save money.
For example, a few coupon offerings we've come across have included $5 off any order of $35 or more, $5 off Bucket Treats, and free delivery for any order of at least $15. Of course, the availability and discounted amounts will vary depending on the restaurant and time. So, be sure to check the site for deals.
The promo codes for the coupons will only work if you have signed up for a Jollibee account — you won't be able to apply them if you are trying to check out for a guest. This is just another reason to download the Jollibee app and sign up for an account. You also won't be able to use the coupons if you order in person at the restaurant.
Not signing up for the e-Club or newsletter
When you first visit Jollibee's website, a pop-up window will appear, asking you to subscribe to the newsletter. You might want to consider following the prompts this pop-up asks of you unless you are not a fan of free things. Taking just a few seconds of your time to enter your name, email address, and phone number will get you a free Peach Mango Pie from Jollibee.
Also, by subscribing to the newsletter, you'll be setting yourself up to find out about future opportunities to save money on your order. Newsletter subscribers will also be among the first to hear about new products and other special offers.
If you accidentally close the pop-up window, you can sign up for the e-club by visiting the coupons page on the website. If you change your mind and no longer wish to keep receiving emails from Jollibee, you can always unsubscribe.
Always ordering the same thing
It's easy to find one thing you like at a restaurant and keep ordering every time you visit. Whether you're afraid that you're going to be disappointed in the way something else tastes if you branch out or are just generally not a fan of experimenting and trying new things, you'll be missing out if you take this approach at Jollibee. Jollibee's menu just has too many delicious options to ignore.
The one thing the restaurant is probably most famous for is its fried chicken, called Chickenjoy. Satisfied customers on Yelp and Burpple have described the chicken as being "super crispy," "juicy," and "tender." But, as good as it is, you should explore more of the menu offerings, including the Jolly Spaghetti, chicken sandwiches, burgers, chicken tenders, and more.
Jollibee's side dishes are also different from what you'll see from many other fast food restaurants. Instead of being limited to the standard french fries — which they also have — you can add steamed white rice, adobo rice, or mashed potatoes and gravy to your order.
Not customizing your order to match your preferences
While some restaurants make it difficult or a bit awkward to customize your order and get exactly what you want, that is not the case with Jollibee. This is especially true if you have downloaded the app and signed up for an account. Once you are on the app, you can customize your order by adding or removing ingredients, making it the most enjoyable for your tastes and preferences.
So, if you decide that you want to skip the dressing on the Yumburger, remove the jalapeños from the Spicy Chicken Sandwich, or add extra sauce to your Jolly Spaghetti, you can do so with ease. Some alterations are free, but others may require a slight upcharge. Another great thing about customizing your order on the app is that every order placed will be automatically saved under your account — assuming you order with an account. This can make reordering things precisely how you want them a lot easier.
Assuming the menu items displayed are the only ones that are available
Even if you're planning to order in a Jollibee restaurant, you might still want to pull out your phone to check out the menu. While there will be a menu displayed inside the restaurant, some customers have noted that these menus do not always list everything that is available. Whether this is due to the lack of space to show everything or to try to simplify orders placed in the restaurant, it doesn't mean that other options aren't actually available.
Unless you have the entire menu memorized or go in knowing what you want to order, take a few minutes to look over the menu online. This way, you won't miss the opportunity to order something that you want to try. Since you'll have your phone out anyway, you might as well just place your order through the app too.
Going up to the register or drive-thru speaker before you're ready to order
One of the last things you should do at a Jollibee, or really any fast food restaurant, is walk up to the cashier or pull up to the speaker at the drive-thru and take a long time to place your order. If there are people in line behind you, they'll get frustrated having to wait longer while you decide what you want to order.
In some instances, it can also place unnecessary pressure on you to decide quickly to avoid upsetting the people behind you or the team member waiting to take your order. You could make a mistake and not get something that you've been wanting to try or end up forgetting to add a drink or side to your meal.
Rather than jumping in line right away, give yourself a little time to review the menu each time you visit the restaurant. This way, you can avoid all of these potential issues, make sure you order what you really want, and avoid upsetting any customers or staff.
Not getting a family bundle meal to save money
If you're dining with a group, you don't want to overlook the potential savings of ordering a family bundle or Chickenjoy Bucket Treat combo. Jollibee offers several different options that combine several different menu items. When purchased as a combo, these meals cost less than if you were to purchase each item individually.
For example, the Family Bundle comes with a 10-piece Chickenjoy Bucket and three large sides. If purchased individually, based on approximate pricing in Pennsylvania, this combo would cost between $23.37 and $25.05, depending on which sides are selected. However, when you purchase the meal as a combo, it only costs $22.29, a savings of $1.08 to $2.76.
The savings potential for the Chickenjoy Bucket Treat is even greater. This pack includes a six-piece Chickenjoy Bucket, a Jolly Spaghetti Family Pack, and three Peach Mango Pies. It only costs $27.86, compared to the $30.71 you would have to spend to purchase all of these items individually.
Not checking your carryout or drive-thru order before leaving
There is one important thing you should do after grabbing your drive-thru or carryout order from Jollibee: Look inside the bag and make sure that nothing is missing. With how many orders the team members are filling, it is possible that a mistake or two will slip through. For example, they may leave something out, put in an item that you didn't order, or forget to follow the customization directions you left for your meal.
The last thing you want to do is arrive home excited to eat the meal you created, only to realize that it isn't what you really want. Taking a few minutes of your time to peek inside the bag can prevent this sad experience from occurring. If you ordered at the drive-thru, however, you should pull out of the line before checking your order. You don't want to make the people behind you wait unnecessarily. If something is missing or incorrect, you can run back inside or drive through the line one more time to get it addressed.
Not trying a Pineapple Quencher
The next time you visit Jollibee, don't forget to add a Pineapple Quencher to your order. This cold drink is a real treat that Jollibee says is a "sweet taste of the Philippines." If you like fruity drinks, particularly those made with pineapple, we think you'll find the Pineapple Quencher to be the perfect accompaniment to your meal.
Other customers have been happy with their decision to try the Pineapple Quencher. One reviewer on Tripadvisor even wrote that they really loved the drink, despite the fact that they "hate pineapple." The same reviewer explained that they liked that the drink had just the right amount of sweetness and enough other ingredients to counteract the acidity of a pineapple.
The cost of a Pineapple Quencher can vary slightly depending on the location you choose, but they typically cost about $2.50, which is not too bad if you're looking to elevate your Jollibee meal.
Not having Jollibee cater your next event
Ordering Jollibee for yourself, your family, or a group of friends is always nice. In case you didn't know, Jollibee offers catering services. If you're planning a birthday party, a working luncheon for your team, or any other work or social event, ordering from Jollibee might do the trick since they have a large variety of food items to choose from.
You can select from the various family bundles and bucket treats they offer or choose a combination of multiple items to get more food and an even wider variety to offer your guests. This is a great option since ordering for large groups can be tricky with so many different food preferences.
A few of these options include the Chicken Sampler Deal (with a six-piece Chickenjoy bucket, three-piece Chicken Tenders, and 2 Chicken Sandwiches), the Chickenjoy Bucket Treat B (with a six-piece Chickenjoy Bucket, Jolly Spaghetti Family Pack, and three Peach Mango Pies), and the Chickenjoy Bucket Treat D (with a 10-piece Chickenjoy Bucket, gravy, any five sides, and five Peach Mango Pies).
Not realizing that you can find vegetarian options at Jollibee
If you're a vegetarian, you may have been staying away from Jollibee, assuming that there was nothing on the menu that you could eat. After all, the restaurant is best known for its fried chicken, which is certainly not vegetarian. However, while there may not be an extensive list of vegetarian-friendly meal options at Jollibee, there are a few things that you will be able to order from the menu. If you're extra cautious about how things are prepared, you should confirm that the item you order isn't made on the same equipment used to cook meat.
Unfortunately, there aren't any main entrée options that are vegetarian, but you could at least grab a few veggie-friendly snacks if you're dining out with a group of friends. Some of these options include french fries, mashed potatoes, and steamed rice. The pineapple barbeque dip is also vegetarian, so you could enjoy it along with your french fries. Jollibee's Pineapple Quencher and Peach Mango Pie are also vegetarian, allowing you to have a sweet treat after or instead of a full meal.
Trying to find Jollibee gift cards online
Jollibee gift cards can make a tasty present for all of your friends and family who also love the restaurant. After all, almost anyone can appreciate receiving the gift of free food. In addition to giving someone else a gift card to celebrate their birthday, say thank you, or express how you feel, you could also purchase a few Jollibee gift cards for yourself. This way, you'll always be prepared to order your favorites and won't need to worry about your current bank account balance or running up charges on your credit cards.
When you go into a Jollibee, you can purchase gift cards for any amount, starting at $5. If you're looking to purchase Jollibee gift cards online, however, you're making a mistake. As of 2023, Jollibee only sells gift cards in their stores. So, no, they are not available for purchase online and looking for them anywhere on the web will most likely just be a waste of time and perhaps a scam. The company even prohibits the sale of its gift cards on third-party websites.