Mister Donut says its Thailand network will triple by 2022.

The fast food franchise’s Thai operator, Central Restaurants Group (CRG), plans to grow its store count to 1000 by 2022 from an estimated 350 by the end of the year.

The Thai company has earmarked 950 million baht ($29.2 million) to support the eight-year expansion plan.

CRG expects to open 30 new stores this year, mostly upcountry, banking in on rural customers’ higher spending power following increases in the minimum wage.

“We expect to serve Mister Donut to our customers in all 77 provinces by the end of this year,” said Kantapol Srisuwan, GM for the Mister Donut brand.

While political turmoil continuously affects the retail industry, CRG is confident Mister Donut’s sales will rise by up to 16 per cent this year.