Filipino fast food chain Jollibee says its first store in Singapore is its best sales performer globally.

Controversy about Jollibee’s alleged hiring preference for Filipinos over Singaporeans prior to the store’s opening has not stopped locals from patronising the fast food chain.

Dennis Flores, Jollibee’s VP for international operations, said Jollibee’s first Singapore store at Lucky Plaza, which opened in March, recorded a footfall of 35,000 customers in its first week of operation.

“Sales performance exceeded expectations,” said Flores.

Flores said Jollibee plans to open its second store in Singapore shortly to meet Singaporeans’ huge appetite for chicken joy and yum burger.

Jollibee’s business in Singapore is a JV between its subsidiary Golden Plate and Singaporean company Beeworks.

The chain also plans expanding its footprint in Vietnam, where it currently has 41 stores. It has more than 800 stores worldwide and plans entering new markets such as Indonesia.