Variations in the prices of ingredients are the main cause of price fluctuations at fast food outlets.

FAST food businesses in Yangon are thriving, with outlets serving fried chicken, pizza and hamburgers often packed with customers.

Although quickly-prepared meals such as fried rice and noodle dishes have long been available in Asia, fast foods originating from western countries are often more popular, especially among the younger generation.

In Yangon, where fast food culture was introduced in the late 1990s, some of the best known outlets are Tokyo Fried Chicken, Mac Burger, Pizza Corner and KLCC Fried Chicken.

The managing director of Tokyo Fried Chicken, U Aung Nyan Win, got the idea of launching his fast food business while travelling overseas.

“I saw that fast food shops, such as KFC, McDonald’s and Pizza Hut, are very popular,” he said.

“When I opened my first shop in 1997, most of my friends thought I’d struggle to do well because they doubted there would be much interest in eating fried chicken or French fries,” said U Aung Nyan Win, who is delighted to have proved his friends’ wrong.

Tokyo Fried Chicken has since expanded to two outlets in Yangon.
As demand continues to grow for western fast food, pizza has become a favourite of many Myanmar. They can choose from an ever-expanding list of pizza dishes.

Pizza Corner in downtown Shwe Bon Tha Street offers 12 kinds of pizza ranging in price from K2800 to K8800, said the in-charge at the outlet, Ma Tin Zar.

“Locals and foreigners visit our shop, including students at international schools,” she said.

“Business is quite stable, with little variation in sales during the year,” said Ma Tin Zar.

There was little effect on sales when Pizza Corner had to abandon home deliveries after three years because of the ban on motorcycles in Yangon, she said.

Prices at fast food outlets are mainly determined by the cost of raw materials, some of which are imported.

“We change our prices as soon as there’s a change in the cost of raw materials,” said Ko Zaw Myo Htet, the assistant general manager of the Wonderful fast food outlet at Bogyoke Aung San Market.

The outlet opened three months ago and Ko Zaw Myo Htet said it was yet to be as busy as the first Wonderful fast food shop, at the Theingyi Market in downtown Yangon.

“But I believe it will attract more customers as time goes on,” he said.

The operators of fast food outlets say their busiest times are in the evenings and on weekends and that teenagers comprise the biggest share of customers, followed by shoppers seeking the convenience of a quick snack in comfortable surroundings.