Atlanta-based chicken restaurant Wing Zone has opened its first Singapore outlet.

Franchisee Johnny Mayani plans to open more than 100 restaurants in six Asian countries including Philippines, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and Singapore over the next decade.

Wing Zone will expand further into 45 countries in the first quarter of this year and 80 countries by 2017.

The restaurant chain began its global expansion in 2008 when the recession hit the US. In Malaysia, it has two restaurants.

Wing Zone was established in 1991 by Matt Friedman and Adam Scott. There are about 100 Wing Zone locations in 25 American states and the first overseas store opened in Panama in 2010.