Central Restaurants plans expansion

Thai restaurant operator Central Restaurants Group remains positive about its outlook this year despite the civil turmoil.

It is earmarking 2 billion baht ($61.4 million) to open new restaurants and acquire new brands.

The company, whose portfolio includes American chain KFC, American doughnut chain Mister Donut and Japanese restaurant Ootoya, plans to take its restaurant count to 830 by the end of the year by adding 70 to 80 new outlets.

“We will focus more on expanding upcountry than in the past, since the penetration rate of restaurants in Bangkok is quite high already and many retailers are branching out into the provinces,” said VP for marketing Takrit Sanitprachakorn.

Central said the expansion is aimed at cashing in on the increasing purchasing power of Thai consumers.

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