ATLANTA — Wendy's/Arby's Group Inc. has signed a development agreement with Kopitiam Investment Pte Ltd. to build and operate Wendy's restaurants in Singapore, the company has announced. Kopitiam Group is scheduled to open the first of these restaurants in late 2009, and plans to build more than 35 Wendy's restaurants throughout the country over the next 10 years.
The Kopitiam Group is the largest foodservice management operator in Singapore and operates under its Kopitiam, The Dessert Shop, Banquet, Kopi and Bao Luo Wan Xiang brands. The company also manages Lau Pa Sat Festival Market, an iconic tourist destination that is a Singapore National Monument.
The development agreement is part of the Wendy's/Arby's Group plan to increase development efforts outside of North America. Wendy's/Arby's Group operates a regional office in Hong Kong — established in 2007 — to serve franchisees, suppliers and staff throughout the Asia/Pacific region, while preparing for expansion into new markets. The company currently operates its international franchise business in 23 markets outside the United States and Canada. Six of these are in the Asia/Pacific region, including its newest market, Malaysia, which opened in 2008.
