Yum Restaurants International (Thailand) Co, the local operator of fast food chains Pizza Hut and KFC, will increase its investment by 30 per cent, taking the total investment to one billion baht next year.

The extra cash will allow the opening 35 fast food chains (five Pizza Huts and 30 KFCs) and replacing the existing stores with new global design standard already adopted by KFC’s and Pizza Hut’s branches in Paradise Park.

Milind Pant, MD, Yum Restaurants International (Thailand), said the additional investment demonstrates the company’s commitment to its customers.

“We expect consumption in Thailand will continue to grow over the coming years,” said Pant.

The new outlets are slated to be set up in border areas including Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district and Mukdahan province where tourism and trade are prospering.

The additional 35 outlets will make the number of KFC and Pizza Hut food chains in Thailand to a total of 362 and will create 1000 jobs.

Due to the massive flooding in Thailand, Yum has halted the operations of 40 KFCs and 20 Pizza Huts. In Ayutthaya, Yum has reopened eight of the nine KFCs after the situation has improved last week. Its outlets in Nakhon Sawan, another province stricken by the flood, are to be reopened this month.

“This disaster is the most challenging for our people, our supply chain and our 1400 employees. All are suffering. I am very impressed that even though their life is difficult at home, they continue to work efficiently,” said Pant.

A distribution centre in Songkhla was established by the company to avoid shortages on dry and frozen products in its 42 Pizza Hut and KFC southern branches.

GB