Western Fast Food Popular in China

You seem to be wandering around in the jungle, appreciating the exotic plants, shaking hands with chimpanzees when all of the sudden a thunder storm hits.

Believe it or not, you are just at a Rainforest Cafe.

The theme restaurant, which is headquartered in the US state of Minnesota, opened its first chain store in Beijing, the third in China. On the menu are roast ribs, salad and macaroni.

Rainforest Cafe has become the newest member in the western fast food market here in China among Mcdonald's, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) and Pizza Hut, which have won the favor of many Chinese consumers.

Experts pointed out, as the income of Chinese people has increased, fast food has become an important part of their daily life.

The turnover of fast food, worth of 20 million yuan, occupied over 40 percent of the total Food and Beverage income last year in China, according to the latest report from National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The survey showed that urban people are frequent customers of fast food restaurants, especially those in the well-off regions of eastern and southern China.

Western fast food restaurants tend to attract more kids and young people, who have created a big potential market for the food. Most of these people are fond of trendy and new food, putting emphasis on different tastes.

"I really like the soft music, clean environment, good service and seasonal promotions here," a frequent female customer at the Pizza Hut said.

The adaptation of Chinese favors also contributed to the expansion of western fast food in China, such as the red bean pie at Mcdonald's and KFC's soup.

"We hope to bring exotic culture to Chinese people who never got a chance to travel overseas," said Chen Zhaoguan, director of operations of the Rainforest Cafe.

Experts believe more styles and flavor of western food will come to China, which is expected to bring along with them advanced managing ideas, methods and a standard production process. And this will help stimulate the development of Chinese food, fast food in particular.






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