Overseas restaurant chains take advantage of China’s dining boom, even as Covid-19 shuts down branches in the rest of the world
- While restaurants around the world have struggled with the pandemic, China saw a record number of new outlets in 2020
- Savvy Western chains are opening branches in Shanghai and Beijing, even as places elsewhere are closing
When Five Guys opened an outlet in Shanghai in April, not only was its first in mainland China, it was also the first shop that the American burger chain, which has nearly 1,700 stores around the world, opened anywhere since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out more than a year ago.
It seems that the pandemic has been a mixed blessing. Danny Lee, Five Guys’ regional managing director for Asia Pacific, says that while they have had to put in additional measures due to the coronavirus, landlords are a lot more flexible with rent.
“We have to work closely with our logistics partners and suppliers to ensure produce coming from overseas has undergone additional tests to show it is free of Covid-19,” he says.
“The pandemic delayed our opening plans in Malaysia and Australia; [depending on the Covid-19 situation], we might open there later this year.”
Five Guys is one of many overseas restaurant chains that have seen China as a safe investment during the uncertainty of the pandemic.