More fast food companies showing up in Myanmar

Global Business

More fast food companies showing up in Myanmar

Foreign food franchises are rapidly growing in Yangon, Myanmar. Just a few years ago there weren’t any and now there are dozens.

CCTV’s Dave Grunebaum has the story.

In a country that was closed off for decades, people in Myanmar now have ice creams, french fries, chicken and many other international cuisines for them to eat.

That’s because some of the U.S.-imposed sanctions in Myanmar were eased. The recent opening of Myanmar’s economy has led to an influx of foreign investments and a growing middle class.

Myanmar’s first KFC outlet opened a year ago. Now there are five with plans to have at least 50 within 10 years.

Companies like KFC acknowledge that in Myanmar many new employees require more training than in developed countries. The expectations when it comes to restaurant cleanliness and attention to customer service often have to be taught from scratch.

These standards will help these eateries draw not only customers who just want a quick meal, but also patrons who want to stay to read and work like they would in a cafe.

 

But there have been growing pains, particularly as more international food franchises have entered Myanmar’s market. Express Food Group, which owns the The Pizza Company and Swenson’s Ice Cream franchises in Myanmar, said last year, 50 percent of its staff quit on the same day to take jobs at a new franchise.

And while staff attrition might give management a bit of indigestion, that’s outweighed by the potential gains in a market that’s still largely untapped.