China does have has Burger King stores (or Hungry Jacks as it’s called in Australia – but that’s another story).
Burger King is nowhere near as popular as McDonalds or KFC, which is the clear number 1 in the Chinese fast food market, but most of the major international fast food chains are present in China to some extent.
I’m a bit worried about the increase in obesity in China. There are a lot more overweight children in China now than when I first arrived in 2002. It’s a worrying trend.
Why is it happening? I’m pretty sure it’s related to the increase in Western dietary habits in China, ie fast food restaurants and snack food. There’ll be other reasons involved as well, but this will be the main reason. They should get Morgan Spurlock’s Super Size Me translated into Chinese.
Anyway, as an expat, I eat at fast food stores more often than I would at home, simply because it reminds me of home. It’s still not very often – maybe once or twice a month. I prefer Chinese food most of the time!
There are only two BK restaurants here in China, one each airport in Shanghai and Beijing.
The reason Chinese people are gaining weight is because, in the cities, they are not starving anymore.
Hi Jay,
I didn’t realise that there were only two Burger King stores in China. Thanks for pointing that out. It pales in comparison to Yum who own KFC and Pizza Hut and who have over 2500 stores in China:
USD$2 billion is a lot of sales…
I still think the increase in Western diet is a major factor in Chinese people putting on weight (I have seen direct evidence of this with the students I taught). However, you’re right in pointing out that as people become more affluent they tend to eat more.
Thanks for stopping by.
The only two I have found, at least.
If you taught students here, then it also generally true that only more affluent families pay for foreign teachers or schools that employ them. Ties back to the money=fat concept.
A big stomach has always been a sign of success here. Ties back to the days of widespread starvation concept…
Regards.
There are two stores in Shanghai itself, and there is a store planned for Beijing.
Great to see those pictures I took. Thanks for using them!