American burger chain Carl’s Jr, which will open its first restaurant here next year, believes India could become one of its largest international markets outside the US in the long term. The company has aggressive plans to open about 100 restaurants in the next five years.

Ned Lyerly, President-International, CKE Restaurants Holdings Inc, the parent company of Carl’s Jr, said, “India is in the middle of the burger revolution and we believe this is the perfect time for our brand to be launched in the country in terms of the size of the market, growth in the organised food services market, as well as evolution of the market.”

He said the brand is in the middle of low-priced burger chains and premium burger chains and its restaurants are positioned in the fast casual dining space.

Lyerly said the company has been focusing on taking the brand to emerging international markets, such as India, and has been opening far more restaurants internationally than in the US in the past four years.

With India’s organised food services industry growing at 15 per cent year-on-year, the country offers the right opportunity for the company to enter the country right now. “India has the potential and could end up becoming our largest international market over time. Right now, Mexico is our biggest market outside US,” he added. Sam Chopra, Chairman & Founder, Cybiz BrightStar Restaurants, the master franchisee of Carl’s Jr in India, said, “Next year, we hope to open about five restaurants which will be largely in Delhi-NCR, and we are also hoping to open one in Chandigarh. We will first focus on North India, before moving to other regions.” It will focus on opening company-owned and operated restaurants before appointing sub- franchisees. The burger chain said more than half of its menu has been revamped for Indian consumers, with a wide variety of vegetarian items on offer.

“Initially we are looking to expand in the tier 1 markets, but we believe second tier markets offer a huge opportunity, and we plan expand to these cities in the next two-three years. We have studied the market to develop processes to offer both vegetarian and non vegetarian options,” said Lyerly.

Asked if the company would be introducing other outlets besides restaurants, he said the company may look at smaller formats, such as kiosks for malls, and mobile restaurants in the form of food trucks. Chopra said food trucks are a great way to test markets as well as brand building, but the company would first focus on establishing its restaurants.

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