July 7 will officially mark the opening of fried chicken vendor KFC’s first branch in Yangon, as the fast food giant moves to take a seat in the Myanmar market.
Ahead of the occasion, the American fast food brand gave Yangonites a taste of what to come as it opened its doors to customers on June 30. Located in downtown Yangon on Bogyoke Aung San road, the purpose-built, two-story KFC building measures 6,000 square feet and can seat up to 240 people.
“We look forward to serving the world famous food KFC is known for while tailoring our product offerings and marketing activities around local needs and insights to make KFC relevant to the people of Myanmar,” said JR Ching, Yoma Strategic’s Chief Financial Officer and Managing Director of KFC Myanmar.
“KFC will form the cornerstone of Yoma Strategic’s business within Myanmar's rapidly growing consumer and retail sector.”
Reactions have ranged from elation to predictions of ballooning obesity. However, the obesity concern, such as issue that has hit Thailand and Malaysia may be overplayed, as KFC’s meals will still cost a substantial fraction of the daily income of regular people.
There are more than 19,400 KFC outlets in 120 countries and territories around the world. Yum!’s website boasts of plans to open over 2,000 restaurants outside of the US in 2015, a steady pace from the 2,030 opened in 2014.
Ching said, “KFC branches will be opened in all over Yangon before end of this year.”
KFC faced controversy in China in 2012 for overuse of antibiotics in chickens.
Part of Yum! Brands, KFC is one of the world's largest restaurant chains with $23 billion in global sales and more than 19,400 restaurants in 120 countries worldwide.
