Xoom and Jollibee announce a special offer for Filipino remitters

SAN FRANCISCO – Xoom Corporation, a leading online consumer-to-consumer international money transfer company, has announced its partnership with Jollibee, the No. 1 fast food chain in the Philippines. First-time Xoom customers who send money to the Philippines between August 13-December 31, 2012 can receive a free $25 Jollibee gift card. The gift card can be used in any of Jollibee’s 27 stores in the US.

“Jollibee is a well-loved brand that is very much part of the Filipino culture,” said Julian King, Xoom’s Senior Vice President, Marketing and Corporate Development. “We are very excited to partner with Jollibee and offer customers this great incentive -- to discover how convenient, safe and fast it is to send money home with Xoom.”

Jollibee, with more than 750 stores in the Philippines, is one of the most recognized and highly preferred Filipino family brands. Jollibee has an additional 80 stores outside of the Philippines, with restaurants in the United States, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Brunei.

“We’re thrilled to be collaborating with Xoom, a leader in the international money transfer market,” said Jonx Jongko, Marketing Manager for Jollibee, USA. “Xoom and Jollibee are both companies who value customer satisfaction, and Jollibee is happy to provide an incentive to reward new Xoom users who send money to their friends and family in the Philippines.”

For more information on this special offer, please visit the Xoom website.

Terms and conditions apply.

Press release and photo from Xoom Corporation

source: gmanetwork.com

Jollibee net income up a third in 2Q

MANILA - Jollibee Foods Corp. on Tuesday told the local bourse that its profit went up by a third in the second quarter.

In a disclosure, JFC said earnings rose 33 percent to P921 million in the April to June period from P693 million in the same period last year.

This pushed the homegrown fast-food giant's net profit attributable to equity holders by 21.2 percent year-on-year to P1.59 billion in the first six months of the year from P1.31 billion in 2011.

System-wide retail sales, a measure of all sales to consumers both from company-owned and franchised stores, climbed 12.1 percent in the second quarter to P22.95 billion from last year’s P20.46 billion.

In the first half, system-wide retail sales expanded by 13.5 percent to P44.50 billion from P39.21 billion in 2011.

Ysmael Baysa, JFC chief financial officer, attributed the strong performance to healthy same-store sales growth in most regions driven by higher transaction count, cost improvements in the Philippines and China, lower financing costs and tax savings.

However, same-store sales growth and higher cost of labor, rent and utilities remain very important challenges in its businesses in China, Baysa added.

source: interaksyon.com

Wendy's to open 2nd Japan restaurant in Roppongi on Aug 17

TOKYO — Wendy’s Japan will open its second restaurant in Roppongi on Aug 17. The store will be located on Roppongi-dori opposite TGI Friday’s.

Wendy’s relaunched in Japan opposite Omotesando Hills last Dec 27, two years after exiting the market.

Wendy’s/Arby’s International Inc and Higa Industries Co Ltd, a successful food importer and distributor based in Tokyo, signed a joint venture agreement to develop and operate Wendy’s restaurants in Japan. Higa Industries is led by Ernest Higa, who owned and operated 180 Domino’s Pizza stores in Japan before selling the business in February 2010.

This is the first overseas joint venture for Wendy’s/Arby’s International. Wendy’s Japan plans to open 100 stores in the next five years.

source: japantoday.com

Matthew Fox Arrested for DUI

Matthew Fox was arrested for driving under the influence on Friday.

The former Lost star, 45, had one passenger with him when he was cited at 3:23 a.m., TMZ reports.

Driving in Oregon, where he currently lives, the actor was apparently en route to a fast food restaurant at the time of his arrest. He was taken into custody and released later that day.

Last September, Fox had another run-in with the law when a Cleveland bus driver accused him of assault, battery and infliction of emotional distress. This instance was also said to involve alcohol.

A rep for the actor had no comment.

source: people.com