US fast food chain Burger King will open its first 12 restaurants in India within three months.

The first outlet will open in Delhi, the nation’s capital city, within four weeks, according to sources in India.

During the initial launch phase six restaurants will open in Delhi and six in Mumbai.

“The initial plan is to roll out a store every few weeks to keep the momentum going,” a person ‘with direct knowledge of the matter’ told Indian news website Livemint.com.

The chain is also considering other markets including Chennai, Pune and Bangalore.

Burger King has been established in India in a joint venture between the US company and private equity company Everstone Capital Management, which has the majority 89 per cent stake. It has taken about a year since the pact was formed to bring the brand to market.

Livemint’s source said the company would open company owned stores for the first few years rather than take the franchise approach common in other markets.