Business May. 30, 2008 - 06:10AM JST ( 1 )

TOKYO —

Convenience store chain operator Seven-Eleven Japan Co will open franchise outlets in Shanghai and Beijing this autumn, it was learned Thursday. The company, which operates franchise outlets in Hong Kong and Shenzhen through a U.S. subsidiary, aims to expand business across China, which is enjoying robust economic growth, company sources said.

Seven-Eleven plans to conclude franchise contracts in Shanghai through Taiwanese food giant Uni-President Enterprises. The first outlet in Shanghai is slated to open this year.

The company start franchise operations in Beijing this autumn through a local joint venture that operates about 60 directly run stores there.

In April, Seven-Eleven set up a fully owned subsidiary in Beijing, Seven-Eleven China Co, which manages its brand and provide store operation know-how to franchisees.

JCN