Chowking is a Philippine-based restaurant chain.

The concept combines Western fast food service

with Chinese food menu. Chowking predominantly sells noodle soups, dim sum and rice bowls with
toppings. The company was founded in 1985 by Robert Kuan at a time when American-style burger
joints were dominating the Philippine fast food scene.

History
In 1989, Chowking started expanding its market share amid the volatility of the domestic market. It
opened its franchising operations[1] and made its entry into the provincial markets the same year. On
January 1, 2000, Chowking became a wholly owned subsidiary of Jollibee Foods Corporation. The
new owner commenced store renovations to create a new corporate look for Chowking that would
result in a comprehensive change for each store.

Chowking at the SM City Baliwag

Typical exterior of a Chowking restaurant

Chowking restaurant in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig

Expansion
1995
Chowking opened its first store in the United States through a franchise agreement with a US-based
Filipino-American Company.

2005
Chowking entered Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia and maintained two key stores to study the
feasibility of the market. At this time, the company began to explore other potential locations and key
cities as part of its long term expansion plans.
In the Philippines, the company received the coveted The Marketing Company of the Year award
from the Philippines Marketing Association and also attained its second Hall of Fame for Most
Outstanding Filipino Franchise award from the Philippines Franchise Association.

2006
In 2006, the Chowking Food Corporation opened a United Arab Emirates (UAE) store location,
increasing its international presence to seventeen outlets.[2]

2008
To ensure its continued growth, Chowking explored markets outside the Philippines. In 2008,
Chowking had over 400 stores within the Philippines, Indonesia, United States and the Middle East.
Chowking has steadily been expanding its network in and around the Philippines. It is able to ensure
the freshness of its food and the reliability of its supply through its main commissaries in
Highland, Muntinlupa and Sucat, Paraaque, as well as satellite commissaries
in Pangasinan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Negros, Iloilo, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Davao.
In Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Chowking's commissary serves ten stores and is expanding to other
areas.
In 2008, Chowking announced the completion of a Php270-million (USD 5.65-million) modernization
program, which will help set the stage for the companys future growth. Called Project
DMSSM[3] (pronounced dimsum) for Designed, Modernized and Streamlined Supply Chain and
Manufacturing, the two-year modernization program that started in 2006 involves the expansion and
renovation of Chowkings Noodle Building, increased automation, and the improved integration of
food manufacturing processes in its two commissaries in Muntinlupa City.[citation needed]

2011
Jollibee acquired control over the franchised operations of Chowking USA, following the expiration of
the pioneering franchise agreement.
As of April 2011, Chowking operates in key international cities in the USA, Indonesia (2),[4] United
Arab Emirates (17), Qatar (2) and Oman (1).
In Indonesia, as part of Chowking's ethos of adaptation with local tastes and cultures, the company
is one of the first restaurants to be Halal-certified,[5] courtesy of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI).
The number of customers grew as a result of the certification and a strong Indonesian-Muslim
customer profile was captured in their stores.