Burger King is all set to open restaurants across India.
The popular fast food chain previously hadn’t embarked on business ventures throughout the country. However, the chain is reportedly working alongside the private equity and real estate firm Everstone Group to open restaurants throughout India very soon.
According to an article over at Zacks , Everstone will serve as the Burger King “long-term master franchisee.” This means that the company can sub-franchise the restaurants across India. Everstone will also set up the restaurants’ supply chain network and work alongside BK AsiaPac Pte. Ltd. to roll-out the new locations.
The website describes Everstone as follows:
“Established in 2006, the firm boasts superior local market knowledge and has a proven track record of venturing into the consumer products and services, food & beverage, education, healthcare, financial services and logistics industry. With its sound knowledge of Indian food habits, the franchisee expects to benefit from the collaboration with Burger King.”
“India is a market with huge potential for Burger King restaurants and we have the chance to offer the unique Burger King brand proposition to its consumers with our own local twist to the menu,” BK AsiaPac Pte. Ltd president Elias Diaz Sese explained.
The Wall Street Journal explains that Burger King’s Asia Pacific market is its smallest in the world. At present, the company only operates 1,100 locations in that territory. Comparatively, operates approximately 7,400 restaurants throughout North America. Altogether, Burger King has 13,000 restaurants serving food across the planet.
Although Everstone plans to open several Burger King locations in India, it’s currently unknown just how many restaurants will debut in the country. The company also hasn’t announced whether it intends to sell Whoppers or other beef burgers at these locations.
Unfortunately for BK, the fast food market in India is already quite crowded. In addition to McDonald’s — who has reportedly adapted their menu around Hindu and Muslim religious particies — Kentucky Fried Chicken, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut already operate several locations throughout the country. Yum! also has plans to expand in the coming years.
According to Quartz , Domino’s Pizza claims that India is the company’s second-largest market after the United States. This is because pizza joints are the most popular organized fast food joints in the country. Over half of sales went to pizza, reportedly because it’s easier to put together a vegetarian pizza.
What do you think about Burger King opening several locations across India? Do you think the fast food chain has a fighting chance in this very crowded market?
[Image via Wikimedia Commons ]