Burger King plans push in Japan

The Burger King sign will appear in Japan again

Burger King, the world's second largest burger chain, is poised to return to Japan with a pair of local partners after a five-year absence.

Two Japanese companies, Lotte and Revamp, will operate the fast food outlets under licence from Burger King.

They plan to open 100 Burger King stores over five years from 2007.

Burger King withdrew from a previous foray into Japan in 2001 in the wake of weak sales and a price war with its fast food arch-rival, McDonalds.

Burger King characterised the deal as part of its international development strategy.

Burger King has more than 11,000 outlets around the world, of which 90% are franchises.

The fast food giant opened 191 new outlets across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America in the year to September 2006.

US doughnut brand Krispy Kreme is also heading for Japan, Lotte and Revamp having already opened their first such store in Tokyo.