Another branch of the America-based Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) opened for business Monday in northwest China's Gansu Province, bringing the number of KFC branches in China to 600, says the Beijing Youth Daily on Tuesday.

According to David Novak, president and chief executive officerof the Tricon Global Restaurants Incorporation (TGRI) who owns a number of world famous fast-food stores like KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, some 120 more new KFC branches will open this year in China and Pizza Hut will open at least 25 new branches.

"With the implementation of China's West Development Strategy, northwest China will become one of the fastest developing regions in China," David Novak said to the paper.

He believes that drawn by large profits, more foreign-invested companies will move there.

During the past four months, 100 KFC branches have been launched in China with their enlarged business area totaling 35,000 square meters.

In 2001, sales made by both KFC and the Pizza Hut in China stood around 5.4 billion yuan (about US$ 651 million).

As China is has become the second largest fast food market after the United States, Novak says that the TGRI has planned to beef up its annual investment in China by 25 percent.

If everything goes smoothly, the first Taco Bell branch specializing in Mexican food will be launched in Shanghai, says the paper.

( Xinhua News Agency February 6, 2002)