Burger King sets up second store at new domestic terminal

Myanmar is getting its first ever publicly-accessible Burger King outlet, although whopper-enthusiasts will have to make their way to Yangon International Airport’s new domestic terminal to slake their hunger.

The new Asia World-built domestic terminal – T3 – opened yesterday, with the first flights scheduled to take off later this week, according to Asia World.

T3 spans some 44,000 square metres, boasts 38 check-in counters and will offer domestic passengers a “well-curated mix of world-renowned and local retail outlets and food and beverage options”, the firm said.

Among the food options is the country’s “first public Burger King outlet”, according to Asia World. The new international terminal, T2, which opened earlier this year, hosts the country’s first Burger King. But that store is only accessible after going through passport control and customs.

Thai firm Minor Food Group (MFG) has the franchise rights for Burger King in Myanmar, but could not be reached for comment on the new store. Asia World was also unavailable for comment on whether the new outlet was already up and running.

Prapat Siangjan, MFG’s general manager for Burger King Thailand, told in August that MFG was considering a second outlet in the domestic terminal. That store would have prices denominated in kyat, and help MFG better gauge public demand, he said.

Prices at the international terminal restaurant are dollar-denominated and geared towards international tourists, with a standard value whopper meal going for US$8.50.

The new domestic terminal will also boast international brands including Gloria Jean, Coffee Bean and KFC. The latter chain, operated by Yoma Strategic, is well established in Myanmar, with seven outlets in Yangon and a new store in Mandalay scheduled for 2017.

T3 opens just a few months after T2 – also Asia World-built – started operations. Passenger numbers at Yangon International Airport terminals have risen three-fold over the past five years, according to Asia World. Yangon’s airport handled 4.68 million passengers in 2015, the firm said.

All domestic airlines are expected to move their operations to the new terminal, Department of Civil Aviation deputy director general U Ye Htut Aung previously told us. Asia World said the first domestic flights are scheduled to take place from December 9.

Myanmar has 10 airlines operating domestic flights to 26 local destinations, according to Asia World.