GEORGE TOWN: QSR Brands (M) Holdings Bhd, which operates KFC and Pizza Hut restaurants in Malaysia and neighbouring countries, targets to hit total revenue of RM5 billion in the Southeast Asian region this year compared with RM4.4 billion achieved last year.

Managing Director Datuk Seri Mohamed Azahari Kamil said there were 25 million KFC customers in Malaysia every month, which led to regional revenue growth of between 20 and 30 per cent last year.

He also disclosed that the company expected to open an additional 36 KFC outlets and 20 Pizza Hut restaurants in the country in 2019.

There are currently 695 KFC restaurants nationwide, of which 46 are located in Penang.

“Strategic partnership (with property developers) offers an excellent opportunity for QSR Brands to expand its business and restaurant services. 

"As a market leader in Malaysia's quick service restaurants industry, it aims to be easily accessible to consumers,” Mohamed Azahari told reporters after the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with MTT Properties and Development Sdn Bhd in Balik Pulau near here today.

Meanwhile, MTT Properties also announced that the first drive-through KFC restaurant in Balik Pulau was expected to open its doors by the fourth quarter of next year in the upcoming 2.6-hectare commercial precinct known as Botanica.CT Centre.

The new 5,000 sq ft restaurant, to be operated round the clock, is expected to accommodate up to 180 customers at one time.

QSR Brands is the region's largest quick service restaurant operator with 800 KFC restaurants in Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and Cambodia. It is also the operator of Pizza Hut in Malaysia and Singapore, with more than 380 restaurants in the country and 80 restaurants across the Causeway. - Bernama