Vietnam, officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, has caught the eye of some huge companies, including McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD), Burger King Worldwide Inc (NYSE:BKW), and Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) to name just a few. Just a decade ago Vietnam received zero foreign investment, however the country has become a manufacturing hub over the last five years. Companies, including Samsung, have begun to shift out of China and into Vietnam to take advantage of its open economic policies, geographical position, political and economic stability, and, most importantly, dense and inexpensive labor resources. In an International Business Times article, analysts predicted employers could literally cut their labor costs in half by shifting their manufacturing from the traditional locations in Asia. While the labor may remain inexpensive, the population is growing increasingly educated, thus creating great potential in the decades to come.
Arching over Asia
While it may feel McDonald’s Corporation (NYSE:MCD) has expanded to virtually every corner of the global, Vietnam remains an opportunity for the country. Late Monday it was announced the company had approved a Vietnamese businessman to start the expansion in the region, sooner than originally predicted. The company plans to open its first restaurant in the population-dense Ho Chi Minh City by early 2014.
While Vietnam is small in comparison to its developing counterparts, Ho Chi Minh City is home to a growing 6.65 million people, which I’m sure can’t wait to get their hands on yet another western brand name. Up to this point, fast food competition has done fairly well within the region. Going forward I see Vietnam becoming a small but profitable venture that will need to be explored further. The promise of rising incomes and increasing educational importance bodes well for discretionary spending and therefore the company over the longer term.
Adding a jewel to the crown
Burger King Worldwide Inc (NYSE:BKW) has bounced back and forth between the public and private markets a few times before making its way back to the public spotlight in 2012. The company avoided an initial public offering altogether through a series of complex financial moves such as a merger and relisiting through a London-based company. As a result of the constant turning of private equity, the company is leaner, and charbroiled to perfection. While the company may have abandoned its iconic King to improve its reputation, everyone still likes the burgers.
The company has established itself on a smaller scale through a franchising partnership but believes the market remains far from saturated. President of Burger King Worldwide Inc (NYSE:BKW)’s Asia Pacific market, Elias Diaz Sese, was recently interviewed by the Saigon Times where he discussed the potential in the years ahead. Sese stated the company would be working closely with its current partners IPP group and Blue Kite Vietnam (BKV) to make the franchised locations more accessible for the average middle class consumer. Management went on to say the market represents one of the most important Asia Pacific markets for the company’s future. According to Sese, rising middle class incomes amid a young population is exactly what the company is looking for.
