Global franchises ready for Nepal<br/>KFC, Pizza Hut to open on Wednesday

KATHMANDU, Nov 23: Kathmandu on Wednesday will see another testimony of Nepali people´s growing disposable income with the opening of two iconic global brands. The opening of the outlets of foods chains Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) and Pizza Hut, each of which seat 140 people, has been one of the most anticipated ones. After at least two years of planning and substantial market research and study, the outlets will open to public from Wednesday. Though the country has seen a lot of local fast foods chains expanding and thriving in recent years, global brands like these have so far eluded people with an ever growing power to spend. [break]

Investment of Rs 110 million

Hopes to expand chain to other parts of the Valley

Delivery and other services soon

Has opened door for other franchises: American Chargé d´Affaires

“Nepal is now ready,” Ravi Kant Jaipuria, Chairman of RJ Crop, the largest franchisee for Yum brands in India and also the biggest bottler for Pepsi brands in India and Nepal, told myrepublica.com, after a press conference Sunday to announce the opening.

In the last two years or so, people in the capital city have seen an exponential growth in the number of big shopping malls and centers, and an even bigger rise in the influx of big name clothing brands. Some of these brands, which were only seen on television and foreign magazines by the larger mass previously, are now doing good business here. KFC and Pizza Hut are possibly the biggest of these names that are eying to tap this ever-expanding purchasing power of the growing population in middle and higher classes. A large chunk of them saw and tasted the big name food chains´ offers while abroad and wanted one here as well. They called for more places to spend their money and RJ Group responded with KFC and Pizza Hut first, making an investment of around Rs 110 million.

For a long time now, there have been murmurs and rumors of fast food chains showing interest here. But none of them could materialize. The opening of KFC and Pizza Hut can even spur other franchises to stop snubbing the Nepali market. Especially as the western market is already saturated, firms are looking at emerging and developing markets around Asia.

Inaugurating the outlets, Randy Berry, chargé d´affaires at US embassy in Kathmandu, termed two brands expressways to the Nepali people´s heart. He also pointed out to the possibilities of the two brands inspiring others to join in.

“KFC and Pizza Hut are iconic American brands which have strengthened the economic ties between Nepal and US,” he said, highlighting their importance.

The two brands are the subsidiaries of Yum! Brands Inc, the world´s largest fast food chain company in terms of units. The franchisee of the two, with slightly more posh Pizza Hut stacked on top a wider appeal KFC, is Devyani International Nepal Pvt Ltd, an umbrella of RJ Crop.

The self-service KFC is trying to appeal to a wider class of people by offering its patented fried chicken and burgers. Prices start at Rs 69 for a Veggie Snacker and Rs 79 for the same type of burger to Rs 899 for a 40 piece chicken bucket. Products include burgers, hot wings, combo meals (which combine burgers, fries, soft drinks and other products), wraps, Krushers drinks and shakes, ice-cream, Thalis and other side dishes. With fast food being the main concentration here, take-aways are also offered.

“Take-aways make up a large portion of our business worldwide,” Roshan Adiga, Restaurant General manager of KFC, said.

The all important ingredient for KFC - chicken- are imported from Brazil, while the soft buns are freshly made in Nepal. Apart from the ´original taste´ KFC, the outlet offers spicier versions that suit Nepali taste.

Meanwhile, Pizza Hut aims for patrons who will stay longer and its design reflects a restaurant-like ambiance, taking care to look as different from a fast food joint as possible.

“We have a full menu of pizzas, salads, appetizers, main course to deserts,” Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, Country Manager for Devyani International said. Apart from pizzas, this outlet offers pasta, tortillas, chicken wing, soup and a bunch of other such food.

If the response is good, the outlets plan more items and delivery services. They also plan to expand to other parts of the Valley. Keeping these things in mind, the company will eagerly wait for launch of the outlets to people at 10 a.m. on Wednesday morning. Also waiting will be the public.

KFC

Veggie Snacker (Burger) - Rs 69

Chicken Snacker(Burger) - Rs 79

Hot wings (3 pc) - Rs 119

Boneless chicken strips with Salsa - Rs 149

Zinger Burger - Rs 149

Veggie Feast Meal (Burger) - Rs 209

Zinger Meal (Burger) - Rs 259

Chicken Meal (3 pc) - Rs 339

Chicken Large Bucket (12 pc) - Rs 899

Hot Wings Large Bucket (40 pc) - Rs 899

Pizzas @ Pizza Hut

	Premium	Medium	Family
Simply Veg	Rs 119	Rs 229	Rs 369
Spicy Veggie	Rs 139	Rs 259	Rs 409
Paneer El Rancho	Rs 179	Rs 319	Rs 499
Veggie Lovers	Rs 179	Rs 319	Rs 499
Veggie Supreme	Rs 249	Rs 379	Rs 579
Teeka Paneer Makhani	Rs 219	Rs 379	Rs 579
Chicken Supreme	Rs 299	Rs 429	Rs 659
Chicken Hawaiian	Rs 219	Rs 379	Rs 579
Chicken Tandoori	Rs 249	Rs 379	Rs 659