This is not a drill, San Francisco Jollibee fans.
Enthusiasts of the popular Filipino fast food restaurant are one step closer to tasting the crispy chicken and burgers in Downtown San Francisco again, according to an employment advertisement and permits filed with the city.
The plans have been in the works for some time now, as records show Jollibee filed applications in late 2020 to set up shop in the now-shuttered Payless Shoes store at Fifth and Market streets.
In January, permits were approved for the $1 million-plus restaurant conversion in the 3,170 square-foot building, according to city records.
As first reported by San Francisco Business Times, construction has been underway this week at the location, which sits just near one of the entrances to BART’s Powell Street Station. Additionally, plans indicate the restaurant will be big enough to seat28 customers.
Jollibee has been contacted for comment on when San Franciscans can expect the restaurant to open, but a spokesperson did not respond prior to publication.
In recent days, the fast-food chain has listed a job posting for store supervisor position on their website. According to the ad, the position pays a rate starting at $20 an hour for part-time and full-time employees.
Jollibee has expanded around the Bay Area since opening its first U.S. location in Daly City in 1998. The chain now has two restaurants in Daly City and additional locations in South San Francisco, Hayward, Union City, Milpitas, San Jose and Concord.
Although Jollibee once had an outlet in San Francisco on Fourth Street, it closed in 2011.
In total, there are 72 total Jollibee restaurants across the country and over 1,500 locations internationally.