USA-based quick service restaurant chain Carl's Jr. has opened its first location in Vietnam and plans to open a further 25 outlets in the country over the next six years as part of new franchise deal. Carl's Jr. has signed a franchise agreement with Mesa Asia Pacific Trading Services Company Limited, which will own and operate the Carl's Jr. restaurants in Vietnam.

CKE Restaurant, which owns Carl's Jr, is currently in the process of expanding throughout the Asia region. The company already has franchised locations operating in China, Singapore, Malaysia and America Samoa. In addition to its recent franchise deal for Vietnam, CKE Restaurant is also set to enter into Indonesia later this year after signing an agreement with PT Fortune Foods Limited, which will see it open 25 Carl's Jr. restaurants.

Andrew F. Puzder, CEO of CKE Restaurants, said: "We are very pleased to welcome Mesa Group Inc. as a part of the CKE team. The strength of our brand matched with Mesa's expertise and knowledge of the Vietnamese market gives us confidence that we will have a bright future in the market. The growth in the Vietnamese consumer market is truly remarkable and we wanted to take this opportunity along with the Mesa Group to employ a 'first mover' strategy in our segment. In this regard, we are happy to introduce real, American-style charbroiled burgers to the market."

Luu Tuyet Mai, CEO of Mesa Group, added: "We are very excited to launch Carl's Jr. in Vietnam with our great partner CKE Restaurants. We are determined to make Carl's Jr. the leading QSR brand in Vietnam by providing premium, high-quality menu items, premium facilities, and exceptional customer service. We have aggressive growth plans for Vietnam, and plan to bring Carl's Jr. to major cities over the next few years. We hope to make Carl's Jr. the destination of choice for hungry Vietnamese consumers."

Published: 18 August 2010

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