KFC plans to open 24 new outlets in Malaysia and India
JOHOR BARU: KFC Holdings (M) Bhd plans to invest about Rm63mil this year to open 24 new KFC restaurants in Malaysia and India.
Managing director Jamaludin Mohd Ali said Rm45mil would be for 15 new outlets in the country including 10 drive-through restaurants.
He said Rm18mil would be allocated for nine new outlets in India’s Mumbai and Pune, bringing the total number of restaurants there to 25 by year-end from 16 outlets now.
“Response for our restaurants in India is good despite the fact that 30% of the population there are vegetarians as our outlets also have menus catering to their special needs,’’ said Jamaludin at a press conference after the signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between KFCH International College (KFCHI) and HELP University.
Signing on behalf of KFCHI was its chief executive officer Zaiton Ibrahim while HELP University was represented by its vice-chancellor and president Datuk Dr Paul Chan Tuck Hoong.
Under the MOU, both institutions would collaborate in activities with common interest and cover three twinning programmes that allow students to study at KFCHI using HELP University’s curriculum.
Jamaludin said prospects for growth in Mumbai, an economic hub of India with 21 million people, and Pune, an educational centre with almost 6 million were good.
“Ninety per cent of our customers in the two Indian cities like our hot and spicy chicken compared with 40% of Malaysian customers,’’ he added.
On the drive-through concept, Jamaludin said more Malaysians like the concept as they could enjoy KFC and Pizza Hut meals simultaneously under one roof.
He said the company would be improving its service in 100 selected outlets in the Klang Valley, Johor Baru and Penang following the recent brawl between a customer and KFC restaurant staff in Shah Alam due to long waiting period and chicken shortage.
“We also plan to hire housewives and pensioners as part-timers in the near future as we are having problems hiring service staff,’’ said Jamaludin.