Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) reported a 7% increase in same-store sales — a gauge of revenue at stores open for at least a year — at its Smashburger business in the second quarter, supported by stronger delivery sales and improvements in restaurant operations.

In a statement issued Thursday, JFC said delivery sales at company-owned Smashburger restaurants jumped 40.8% during the quarter, while restaurant-based sales at company-owned stores grew 13.1%. The delivery jump highlights how central third-party platforms have become to sales growth for fast-casual chains across the United States.

According to the company, the growth was driven by stronger execution across digital channels, improved restaurant operations, and gains in guest experience.

JFC said Smashburger has spent the past 12 to 24 months strengthening its operations, including improving execution on third-party delivery platforms, implementing targeted pricing actions, upgrading field leadership, and reinforcing training in hospitality, speed of service, and order accuracy. The improvements come as the brand competes in the US "better burger" fast-casual segment against chains such as Shake Shack and Five Guys. Smashburger, founded in Denver in 2007, is the burger chain that JFC — the Philippine operator of the homegrown Jollibee brand and one of Asia's largest restaurant companies — fully acquired in 2018 after first taking a minority stake in 2015, a deal that expanded the group's presence in North America, where it also owns The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.

"Smashburger's recent performance shows progress in the areas that matter for the brand: stronger customer response, better restaurant execution, and improving guest feedback," said Richard Shin, Jollibee Group International Chief Executive Officer and Jollibee Group Global Chief Financial and Risk Officer.

"Our aim is to continue translating these improvements into more consistent performance and stronger restaurant economics," he added.

Customer feedback at Smashburger also improved in the second quarter across hospitality, order accuracy, speed of service, food quality, food safety, and pricing value, JFC said, with the brand recording record-high net promoter scores during the period.

Smashburger Chief Executive Officer Jim Sullivan said the company is focused on improving execution across the customer experience while maintaining the strength of its food offering.

"What we are focused on now is pairing that product strength with better execution across the guest experience — from hospitality and speed to order accuracy," he said.

Looking ahead, JFC said Smashburger plans to build on its second-quarter performance by strengthening dine-in and traditional takeout channels, improving operational consistency, and refining its value positioning.

The company also noted that Smashburger ranked second in Reviewed's Readers' Choice Awards for Best National Burger Chain of 2026.