U.S. Restaurant Brands Expand in Asia

With hard times continuing at home, U.S. quick service and casual dining restaurant brands are sizing up growth plans for Asia.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reports that Dunkin’ Brands hopes to double its 663-store portfolio in South Korea within the next decade. Nearly 100 locations are on track to open this year alone. China’s also on Dunkin’s radar, with plans to grow from its current 11 stores to 150.

It won’t be alone, according to the WSJ story. Other groups to watch in the region: Yum Brands, which is accelerating growth in China with its Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and KFC flags; McDonald’s Corp., with plans for 500 stores within three years; Wendy’s/Arby’s Group Inc., which will add 35 Wendy’s in Singapore within 10 years; Starbucks Corp., which is stepping up its expansion, and Brinkers International, which just debuted its first Chili’s Bar & Grill in India and will launch its first Chili’s in Singapore shortly.