Japanese-Mongolian barbecue chain Bar B Q Plaza plans to expand across Asean.

The Thailand-headquartered chain will open 50 new outlets in countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar over the next five years.

“We plan to open restaurants in all Asean countries within the next 10 years. After obtaining a strong foothold in Asean, we’ll move a step further in the Asian market,” said assistant MD Chataya Choopojcharoen.

Bar B Q Plaza has expanded overseas the first time in 2005 when it debuted in Malaysia, where it currently has 14 restaurants.

Its outlet in Indonesia is also performing strongly, it says, thanks to the growing middle-class who love to dine out.

“Our Indonesian business is doing well, with average spending of 260 baht per person per visit, the same as in Thailand,” said Choopojcharoen.

Choopojcharoen says domestic outlet count will be expanded from 99 by the end of this year to 150 in five years.

The chain plans to spend up to 600 million baht ($18.7 million) to support the five-year domestic expansion plan.