Chinese fast-food chain Chowking, one of the brands under the Jollibee group, debuted on the US East Coast with the opening of its first store in Jersey City.

The brand reported an "unprecedented" opening day sales level as this marked the highest one-day sale of a Chowking store in the US. Customers lined up for hours to taste their Chowking favorites, parent company Jollibee Foods Corp. (JFC) said in a press statement on Wednesday.

"The opening of the Jersey City store is key in our progress as this marks Chowking's first entry in the East Coast. Jersey City is home to a large Filipino population making it a natural area of expansion for Chowking," said Maribeth Dela Cruz, president of Jollibee Group North America, Philippine brands.

This marks Chowking's 16th store in the US, an offshore market that it entered in 1995. Most of its branches are located in the US West Coast.