QSR TO INVEST US$1 MILLION TO SET UP FOUR KFC OUTLETS IN CAMBODIA

By From Mohd Iswandi Kasan Anuar Bernama
PHNOM PENH, April 28 (Bernama) -- QSR Brands Bhd plans to invest US$1 million (US$1=RM3.15) to set up four Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) outlets in Cambodia before year-end, its chairman Tan Sri Muhammad Ali Hashim said today. Muhammad Ali said the next three outlets would be rolled out in the city within this year before expanding to Siem Reap and Sihanoukville. "We also plan to set up at least four new stores annually in the country, mostly in other populous cities. "This is a long-term investment and the prospect is tremendous," he told reporters after the launch of its first outlet by Cambodia's Commerce Ministry Senior Minister, Dr Cham Prasidh, here today. The 3,000 sq ft outlet, costing US$500,000, started operation on March 2. It can sit 126 diners at any one time and is located in a high shopping traffic area. The operation of the new outlet is undertaken by the joint venture company, Kampuchea Food Corp Ltd. QSR holds a 55 percent stake and its partners, the Royal Group of Companies Ltd and Rightlink Corp Ltd, hold 35 percent and 10 percent, respectively. The company obtained the franchise licence to operate KFC restaurants in Cambodia last year. QSR manages more than 489 KFC restaurants, of which 410 outlets are in Malaysia and the rest are in Singapore and Brunei. It also operates more than 200 Pizza Hut restaurants in Malaysia and Singapore and Brunei. "Currently, overseas operations contribute about 30 percent to the QSR's revenue," Muhammad Ali said. Earlier, Dr Cham said the fast food industry in Cambodia would grow in tandem with the increase in demand from tourists. He said the tourist arrivals were expected to grow by about 25-30 percent per year and hoped that QSR would bring its other fast food businesses such Pizza Hut and Ayamas to Cambodia. -- BERNAMA MI THS