Singapore-based bakery chain BreadTalk has announced plans to develop its franchising business across China where it will only retain a direct operation pattern in Shanghai and Beijing. BreadTalk plans to open at least 500 franchised stores in China in the next three years.

Since it entered China three years ago, BreadTalk has opened 11 stores in Shanghai and says its sales income has increased by ten fold.

Lin Chubao, general manager of BreadTalk China, says that BreadTalk will increase its expansion in China. Though the nearly RMB2 million cost of opening a BreadTalk is quite expensive, Lin is still optimistic about expanding the business.

Lin disclosed to local media that their regional franchising business has already been set in six cities including Nanjing, Hangzhou, Chongqing, Shenzhen, Chengdu and Guangzhou. It plans to open 60 new chain stores in China within this year.