The US-based pretzel maker Auntie Anne’s Inc plans to double the number of its outlets in Asia Pacific over the next three years.
The plan is to cash in on market demand for pretzels in this part of the world, which is growing up to 30% per year. The US pretzel market is only growing at about 8% per year, Michael McCoy, the company’s director of franchise development and international operations, said during a visit to Bangkok to celebrate the ninth anniversary of Auntie Anne’s in Thailand.
Auntie Anne’s now has 930 outlets in 12 countries. Of the total, more than 150 are in Asia, including Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Philippines, South Korea and Taiwan,
“Thailand is the fastest growing market for Auntie Anne’s international,” he said.
Mr McCoy said the company planned to enter three new countries this year: China, India and a nation in Central America. China and India would become its biggest markets in the future.
Lusia Redompta, the company’s senior international operations consultant, said the pretzel-maker also hoped to expand in Vietnam.It is expected that at least 20 Auntie Anne’s will eventually open in Vietnam, said Sucheep Tamacheepjareon, general manager of Central Restaurant Group’s Auntie Anne’s.
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