Chick-fil-A to enter Asia in 2025 with Singapore outlet

SINGAPORE – Fast food restaurant chain Chick-fil-A has announced plans to enter the Asian market in 2025 with its first outlet in Singapore.

The largest chicken sandwich restaurant chain revealed it will invest US$75 million over the next 10 years in the Asian country.

Chick-fil-A is entering a competitive market in Singapore, where established brands like KFC, Jollibee, and Popeyes already have a strong foothold.

KFC operates 74 outlets on the island, while Jollibee and Popeyes each have over a dozen locations.

However, there is considerable opportunity in the city-state, as consumer spending on restaurants and hotels is projected to grow at a combined annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11%, exceeding US$20 billion between 2024 and 2029, according to Trading Economics.

The International Monetary Fund estimates the country’s total economic output at around US$525 billion.

In June this year, Chick-fil-A (Asia) Pte Ltd held a pop-up event in Singapore to introduce the brand and better understand local preferences.

The three-day event attracted over 1,000 attendees, indicating a positive reception from Singaporeans. The company views Singapore as a potential gateway to broader Asian markets.

Chick-fil-A plans to use local owner-operators for its expansion, setting it apart from other chains that typically engage a single master franchisee for each country.

This is a deviation from the company’s conventional operation model. Most of Chick-fil-A’s operations are managed by individual owners/operators.

Although the chicken sandwich chain boasts high average unit volumes exceeding US$9 million, it remains uncertain whether locations outside the U.S. can achieve similar results.

Chick-fil-A also revealed it is heavily investing in its North American growth, with plans to open at least 15 new restaurants in Puerto Rico by 2030.

In Michigan, the chain anticipates adding 25 to 30 franchise locations by 2028 and will open four more restaurants in Canada by the end of this year, bringing its total in that country to 20.

The move was announced barely a month after the chain revealed plans to open its first five outlets in the UK over the next two years as part of a US$100 million investment.

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