Fast-food chain Jollibee will tentatively be coming to Westwood in 2026, according to the Westwood Village Improvement Association’s annual report.

Jollibee, which started in the Philippines and has since opened international locations, – serves fried chicken, hamburgers, spaghetti and other fast-food items.

Michael Russell, the Westwood Village Improvement Association’s executive director, said Jollibee signed a lease agreement with an available space on Weyburn Avenue between Westwood Boulevard and Broxton Avenue, which previously housed Meet Fresh, a Taiwanese dessert shop.

Russell added that Jollibee still needs time to build its restaurant and acquire permits for the location.

“We’re hopeful that they’ll be able to get this location open before the end of the year,” he said. “There’s no exact timeline, but they are working on it.”

A representative for Jollibee said in an emailed statement that the Westwood opening date remains undetermined. Other businesses, like Raising Cane’s, have taken years to open after signing their lease agreements.

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“We have not announced any confirmed details regarding a grand opening date in Westwood,” the representative for Jollibee added. “Should plans for Westwood move forward, we will be delighted to share the news with you and the community.”

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Chelsea Aspiras, a fourth-year education and social transformation student, said she and her family did not eat out much growing up, but they ate Jollibee when they had the chance. One of her favorite memories was when her mom and brother picked her up from middle school to spontaneously grab Jollibee, she added.

“The reason why … those memories are nice for me because Jollibee has always been very comforting and community-, family-based,” Aspiras said.

Katelyn Suarez, a second-year design media arts student, said she learned about Jollibee through social media. She added that she believes the chain would add diversity to Westwood’s dining options.

Aspiras, who is a member of several Filipino organizations on campus, said her clubs have held fundraisers with food from Jollibee’s East Hollywood location. Having a Jollibee location in Westwood, Aspiras said, would be exciting for UCLA’s Filipino community.

“I can see the community growing and bonding and going out late at night being like, ‘Hey, let’s go get Jollibee,’” she said.