KFC Opens First Outlet in Myanmar

[Sumocakewalk]

The first KFC restaurant in Yangon, Myanmar, 22 June 2015. (EPA/Lynn Bo Bo)

Khaosod English / DPA
June 30, 2015

US chain KFC opened its first outlet in Myanmar's commercial capital Yangon Tuesday, becoming the first major western fast-food chain to establish a foothold in the once-isolated country. Its first outlet is on Bogyoke Aung San Road in central Yangon and can seat up to 240 people.

"It has been our dream for a long time to have a KFC in Yangon, one of the great cities of the world," said Micky Pant, chief executive of KFC, in a press release.

KFC views the country with a total population of 50 million as an important emerging market, he said. The South-East Asian country has seen an influx of foreign brands since the end of military rule in 2011, which prompted the lifting of many Western sanctions.

KFC's parent company, Yum! Brands, had signed a deal with Yoma Strategic Holdings as a local partner in Myanmar. Yoma Strategic Holdings is an investment holding company based in Singapore, with various business interests in Myanmar that span across several industries, including real estate, agriculture and tourism.

KFC Opens First Outlet in Myanmar

[Dragonfly94]

Horrible, along with Mcdonalds Starbucks and all the others they make everywhere look the same and serve the same shit up all around the world. I don't eat the crap but mrs dragged me into one of these holes the other week and treated me to their 'french fries' how do they get away with it? they were disgusting.

[Sumocakewalk]

People line up to buy fried chicken at a KFC branch during its opening day in Yangon June 30. (Reuters photo)

Bangkok Post /AFP
June 30, 2015

Fried chicken aficionados queued for hours at Myanmar's first KFC restaurant Tuesday, as the US restaurant chain became the latest big foreign brand to open an outlet in the long-cloistered nation.

Soon after the doors opened a lunchtime crush developed at the new branch in the commercial hub of Rangoon.

Businessman Kyaw Moe queued for three hours to buy chicken for eight family members, including school-age nieces and nephews.

"I want them to taste this. It is my first time. My aunt in Singapore says it is also famous there," the 50-year-old told AFP, brushing off concerns that a taste for foreign fast food could lead to expanding waistlines.

"It is internationally famous, so I think it must be healthy," he said.

While "The Colonel" might have beaten other major US restaurant chains into the frontier Asian market, it is not the first foreign fast food firm to open in Myanmar. South Korea's Lotteria burger restaurant opened its first branch in 2013 and now has seven outlets in the country.

Excited young customers took selfies with mobile phones -- themselves a rare luxury only a few years ago -- at the restaurant on Tuesday.

Htet Ei, an 18-year-old student queuing with three friends, said she had checked on the restaurant every day since she found out it would open. "Now young people here can eat like young people in other countries," she told AFP. "I'll always come here."

full article: Myanmar KFC fans wait hours for 1st taste of US fast food | Bangkok Post: news

[barrylad66]

They will all be wobbling around soon like their thai neighbours...

[Seekingasylum]

i wonder which general owns the partner company registered in Singapore.
Those boys have been flying off to Singapore for years to stash what they could steal, do a bit of shopping and to give their wives a bit of an airing.

[Horatio Hornblower]

Considering Marry brown have been there for two years selling western food, and there food is better than kfc or Mc farts, there'll have a lot of catching up to do.

People line up to buy fried chicken at a KFC branch during its opening day in Yangon June 30. (Reuters photo)

Bangkok Post /AFP
June 30, 2015

Fried chicken aficionados queued for hours at Myanmar's first KFC restaurant Tuesday, as the US restaurant chain became the latest big foreign brand to open an outlet in the long-cloistered nation.

Soon after the doors opened a lunchtime crush developed at the new branch in the commercial hub of Rangoon.

Businessman Kyaw Moe queued for three hours to buy chicken for eight family members, including school-age nieces and nephews.

"I want them to taste this. It is my first time. My aunt in Singapore says it is also famous there," the 50-year-old told AFP, brushing off concerns that a taste for foreign fast food could lead to expanding waistlines.

"It is internationally famous, so I think it must be healthy," he said.

While "The Colonel" might have beaten other major US restaurant chains into the frontier Asian market, it is not the first foreign fast food firm to open in Myanmar. South Korea's Lotteria burger restaurant opened its first branch in 2013 and now has seven outlets in the country.

Excited young customers took selfies with mobile phones -- themselves a rare luxury only a few years ago -- at the restaurant on Tuesday.

Htet Ei, an 18-year-old student queuing with three friends, said she had checked on the restaurant every day since she found out it would open. "Now young people here can eat like young people in other countries," she told AFP. "I'll always come here."

full article: Myanmar KFC fans wait hours for 1st taste of US fast food | Bangkok Post: news

[Kurgen]

"Now young people here can eat like young people in other countries," she told AFP. "I'll always come here."

and no doubt become a lard arsed layabout with diabetes

[kmart]

Great time to buy stock in any local insulin producers there.

[Mozzbie47]

When I first went to Thailand about 12 years ago, every one was slim, but over the last few short years has that changed, overweight ( bloody fat ) people every where, the only change I can see is the introduction of western shit food.

[Dragonfly94]

There's a 3 year old around the corner- 34 kilos, just eats crap washed down with gallons of coke.

[kenyon]

6 years ago I was the but of many fat jokes in the moo Baan, because I had a small beer gut. Now no one dares say a fat joke for fear of some lard arse overhearing and being offended.

[kmart]

There's a 3 year old around the corner- 34 kilos, just eats crap washed down with gallons of coke.

He'll make great soap.

[cyrille]

When I first went to Thailand about 12 years ago, every one was slim, but over the last few short years has that changed, overweight ( bloody fat ) people every where, the only change I can see is the introduction of western shit food.

Because of course there was no fast food in Thailand 12 years ago.

[Mozzbie47]

When I first went to Thailand about 12 years ago, every one was slim, but over the last few short years has that changed, overweight ( bloody fat ) people every where, the only change I can see is the introduction of western shit food.

Because of course there was no fast food in Thailand 12 years ago.

Yes there was, but I do believe there are many more now. What is your take on it then ??????

[cyrille]

No great difference from what I can see.

Doubtless obesity has increased to a degree, as it has in most of Thailand.

I was first in Thailand in '89. I certainly see no significant increase in the last 12 years.

[kmart]

^The amount of sodium and sugar added to processed foods seems to be a major contributor to diabetes. Local incomes have risen steadily also, so people consume more obviously. Last medical I did, the Doc told me that diabetes is endemic amongst (especially young) Thais now.

[bababags]

Now that KFC are in most countries around the world, I wonder if they will branch out and start selling chicken?

[Mozzbie47]

No great difference from what I can see.

Doubtless obesity has increased to a degree, as it has in most of Thailand.

I was first in Thailand in '89. I certainly see no significant increase in the last 12 years.

All I can say is you must wear rose coloured glasse's, iv'e noticed a huge difference, even see a change every 12 months and when my Thai wife say's the same, then I guess there be something to it.

[Norton]

my Thai wife say's the same, then I guess there be something to it.

There is something to it. Less folks doing physical work, eating too much and getting no exercise. Most eating Thai food. The traditional fast foods of Thailand. Most of it as much or more fattening than western fast food. KFC not the culprit.