In today’s fast-changing business landscape, companies are discovering that their greatest competitive advantage isn’t technology or scale—it’s their people. For the Jollibee Group, building a world-class organization begins with investing in leaders and creating a workplace where employees are empowered to grow, innovate, and thrive.
That people-first philosophy has once again earned regional recognition for Arsenio “Archie” Sabado, Global Chief Human Resources Officer of the Jollibee Group, who has been named one of Southeast Asia’s 100 Most Influential HR Leaders for 2026 by ETHRWorld Southeast Asia for the second consecutive year.
The recognition, announced during the fourth edition of the HR Icons Awards 2026, celebrates human resource leaders across the region who are shaping the future of work through transformational leadership, workforce innovation, and sustainable people strategies.
Sabado’s inclusion in the prestigious list reflects not only his leadership but also the Jollibee Group’s long-standing commitment to creating a workplace culture that supports both business excellence and employee success.
“As we continue to grow globally, our focus remains clear—to develop leaders, strengthen capabilities, and create meaningful opportunities for our people to succeed,” Sabado said. “Strong organizations are built by empowered teams that are inspired to learn, adapt, and contribute to something bigger than themselves.”
Under his leadership, the Jollibee Group has strengthened its global people strategy through “Choose Joy!”, its employee value proposition that guides initiatives across its workforce operating in 33 countries and more than 10,400 stores worldwide. The program reflects the company’s belief that employee engagement and business performance go hand in hand.
Sabado emphasized that fostering a high-performing workplace requires more than offering career opportunities—it means cultivating an environment where employees feel trusted, challenged, and connected to the company’s purpose.
“People perform at their best when they feel valued and are given the opportunity to grow,” he said. “Our responsibility is to build a culture that enables our teams to navigate change confidently while finding purpose and fulfillment in their work.”
The Jollibee Group’s people-centered approach has consistently earned global recognition. The company has been included in prestigious international rankings such as TIME Magazine’s World’s Best Companies, Fortune Southeast Asia 500, Forbes’ World’s Best Employers, and Forbes’ Top Female-Friendly Companies.
Most recently, the Jollibee Group received the Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award with Distinction—the highest honor given by Gallup to organizations that demonstrate outstanding employee engagement and workplace culture practices. It also earned the Gallup Engagement Award for the fifth consecutive year, underscoring the consistency of its efforts to build highly engaged teams across its global operations.
Notably, the Jollibee Group remains the only Philippine-based company to receive the Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award, demonstrating that a homegrown Filipino company can successfully compete with some of the world’s leading organizations when it comes to employee experience and workplace excellence.
Sabado’s back-to-back recognition serves as a testament to the growing importance of human capital leadership in today’s business environment. More than an individual achievement, it highlights how Filipino companies are increasingly being recognized on the global stage—not only for their products and services, but also for the way they nurture and empower their people.
As the Jollibee Group continues its global expansion, its people strategy remains a key ingredient in its success—proving that when organizations put their employees first, growth and innovation naturally follow.