Insider Spotlight
The company views human capital as a key driver of operational consistency and long-term business performance as it scales internationally.
That strategy gained fresh regional validation after Global chief human resources officer Arsenio "Archie" Sabado was named among Southeast Asia's 100 Most Influential HR Leaders for 2026 by ETHRWorld Southeast Asia for the second consecutive year.
The recognition was announced during the fourth edition of the HR Icons Awards 2026, which honors HR executives for advancing workforce strategy, organizational resilience, digital and cultural transformation, and HR's role in business growth.
Why it matters
As companies compete for talent across multiple markets, workplace culture and leadership development have become strategic priorities rather than back-office functions.
For consumer-facing businesses with large workforces, employee engagement can directly influence customer experience, execution, and expansion.
The recognition reflects Jollibee Group's continued focus on its Choose Joy! Employee Value Proposition, which guides efforts to develop leaders, strengthen organizational culture, and improve employee engagement across its global operations, the company said in a release.
“These recognitions reinforce our belief that strong business performance starts with strong leaders and teams,” Sabado added.
“As we continue to scale globally, we remain focused on equipping our people with the capabilities, mindset, and opportunities to lead the next phase of our growth.”
Between the lines
Jollibee has increasingly positioned its workplace culture as a competitive advantage, aligning talent development with its broader international expansion strategy while pursuing global benchmarks for employee engagement.
“One thing we continue to learn is that people do their best work when they feel trusted, challenged, and connected to something bigger than themselves. Our responsibility is to create an environment where teams can keep growing, adapt with confidence, and find meaning in what they do every day.”
The latest recognition adds to a growing list of workplace distinctions for the Jollibee Group. The company recently received the Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award with Distinction—the highest recognition given by Gallup for employee engagement and workplace culture—and the Gallup Engagement Award for the fifth consecutive year.
It also has been recognized by TIME among the World's Best Companies, included in the Fortune Southeast Asia 500, and named by Forbes among the World's Best Employers and Top Female-Friendly Companies. —Princess Daisy C. Ominga| Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
