Japanese fastfood chain Yoshinoya will add up to three new outlets in the Philippines this year.

That would be an addition to its seven outlets trading there since it arrived in 2001.

The chain, which offers beef, chicken and tempura on Japanese rice bowls and noodles, says it could expand in a faster pace, however, it is taking time to choose locations carefully.

“We are open to go out of malls, but it is hard to find a site,” said Yoshinoya Century Pacific Inc president Timothy Yang.

It says Philippines has a strong economic growth, fueling its positive long term outlook there.