HONG KONG Burger King plans to open as many as 250 restaurants in Asia during the next five years, John Chidsey, chief executive of franchisor Burger King Holdings Inc., said Thursday in an interview on Hong Kong television.
The Miami-based burger chain already operates or franchises about 700 units in the Asia-Pacific region, according to chain officials. The expansion promises to heat up the race among United States-based chains to carve up the vast Asian market, and China in particular, as the region's economic might continues to grow. Yum! Brands, the Louisville, Ky.-based parent of KFC and Pizza Hut, has disclosed plans to add 400 restaurants to its holdings in Asia, which already put it ahead of McDonald's.