After having conquered Vietnam, Burger King – which opened its first Cambodian branch at the Phnom Penh International Airport on February 24 – now has plans to reign in the Kingdom, with plans to add at least nine more branches here within the next five years, a representative of the franchise holder said on Friday.

The US-based fast-food franchise, which officially signed a contract with Cambodia Airports on Friday, is the second-largest burger chain in the world after McDonald’s.

The Imex Pan-Pacific Group Inc (IPP), one of the largest conglomerates in Vietnam, runs the Cambodian branch in partnership with local company HSC, which is owned by Sok Hong.

Tony Cricenti, vice president for business development of IPP, told the Post that the Burger King will import most of its supplies from Vietnam.

He added that the chain is known for its aggressive expansion strategy and plans to open a second location in Phnom Penh. The second Phnom Penh eatery, located in the city center, will be the chain’s next opening.

Cambodia Airports spokesman Norinda Khek welcomed the restaurant, which employs a staff of 20.

“The opening of Burger King offers our customers more diversity of choice,” he said, adding that Domino’s Pizza, for which IPP also hold franchisee rights in Vietnam, recently expressed its interest in opening a branch at Phnom Penh’s airport.

Burger King Worldwide Inc was founded in 1954 and operates in 13,000 locations serving more than 11 million customers per day in 86 countries, according to its press release.

To contact the reporter on this story: Sarah Thust at [email protected]