It’s been more than 10 years since US fast food giant Yum! Brands first mooted opening a store in Tibet.

But next year the plan is set to come to fruition following the appointment of a franchisee there.

KFC dropped plans to open an outlet there in 2004 on economic grounds – but the plan was opposed at the time by Tibet’s exiled leader the Dalai Lama, who is a staunch vegetarian.

Now, the first KFC Tibet outlet is scheduled to open in the first half of next year – part of a massive expansion program for the deep fried chicken brand.

Yum! is preparing to spin off its China operations and almost treble the current 6900-strong store network to about 20,000 through a franchising program.

The first KFC Tibet store will open in the capital city, Lhasa.

Source: insideretail.asia

Related news:

Wal-Mart’s Asia CEO: China will drive retail growth
KFC China sales bounce back
China’s economic slowdown top concern of Asian companies
11.11.2015: A new twist to Asian retailing’s biggest day
FedEx prepares for eCommerce boom
China is still a good long-term investment
Here’s why China’s malls are closing despite rising consumption
Competition cramps Country Style
Massive opportunity for China retail investment
Walmart China partner sells out
On Pedder’s largest store yet
Asia travel spending trends revealed