Burger King expanding in Thailand - Brief Article

Eurofood, Feb 3, 2000

US fastfood group Burger King has entered into a joint venture with Thai partner Pizza plc to open at least 28 BK restaurants in the next two and a half years. Pizza plc already operates one BK restaurant at Bangkok international airport in collaboration with UK foodservice giant Compass, and a further 16 BK restaurants are operated in Thailand by Thai International Fast Foods.

Pizza plc currently owns more than 280 franchised restaurants under the Pizza Hut, Swensen's Sizzler, Dairy Queen and Burger King brands. The group also runs its own ice cream and cheese factories and Thailand's largest catering company. Just last month, Pizza plc renewed its franchise agreement with Pizza Hut for a further five years. This year the group expects to open at least 80 new restaurants under franchise, and the same in 2001.

JV WITH COKE IN UAE.

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), meanwhile, BK has announced plans to set up three more restaurants, adding to the six already opened since the group moved into the UAE in 1993. BK also told the press it has hooked up with US soft drinks giant Coca-Cola in a Gulf-wide promotion designed to raise the profile of both brands still further. BK currently operate 80 restaurants throughout the Gulf region. The promotion with Coke involves consumers buying a 2.25 litre Coke, Sprite or Fanta bottle and taking the label to a BK outlet where they can exchange it for a free second meal if one meal is paid for.