THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
nationthailand

Expanding Yum seeks additional franchisee

Expanding Yum seeks additional franchisee

YUM Restaurants International (Thailand), operator of leading quick-service chain KFC, yesterday announced plans to open hundreds of new outlets, bringing the number of branches in the Kingdom to 800 by 2020.The expansion will create an additional 12,000

About Bt2 billion will be allocated by the company and Central Restaurants Group (CRG) – KFC’s other local franchisee – this year, aimed at opening 45 KFC restaurants, as well as renovating 10 stores.

Some of the budget will also be spent on improvement of the company’s IT facility.

KFC opened 10 drive-throughs in 2014 and will accelerate to 100 by 2020.

Waewkanee Assoratgoon, KFC country general manager at Yum Restaurants International (Thailand), said the company was now open to adding another franchisee in a move that would help it to speed up the expansion of KFC restaurants in Thailand.

CRG, a unit of Central Group, has been a local franchisee for almost 31 years and currently operates 202 KFC branches.

She said the selection process would take about six months, with the new franchisee needing to have have a strong financial background with readiness to invest in new store expansion, as well as a good understanding of KFC’s business culture.

"The combined strategies of innovation to meet changing consumer needs and building strong partnerships will ensure KFC strengthens its position as the number-one QSR [quick-service restaurant] chain in Thailand," said the country GM.

"Over the past 31 years, KFC has grown with the strong and valued support of our long-term and respected partner, CRG", she added. At the end of last month, there were 532 KFC restaurants here.

Brand sales are up by more than 8 per cent on the same period last year, she said, stressing that KFC has two primary strategies to continue this growth to reach 800 restaurants by 2020: innovation and new partnerships. KFC Thailand’s first strategy is to continue to be a leading innovator, and KFC will invest in solutions to ensure all customers can enjoy great-tasting products in a fast and convenient way, she said.

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