POPULARITY OF FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS GROWING IN ARMENIA

arminfo
2007-11-06 17:49:00

ArmInfo. The popularity of fast food restaurants, which have become
an essential part of the modern world, is growing in Armenia with
every passing day, Director of the Valletta Entertaining company
Marine Zhamkochyan told ArmInfo correspondent.

According to her, the high demand for fast food in the republic is
conditioned by a considerable upswing in the country’s business life
and changes in people’s mentality. "The vigorous rhythm of life in
many spheres make Armenians use food saving time and stilling hunger,"
she stressed.

M.Zhamkochyan added that another large foreign player will enter the
fast food market in the near future. "The clients will only benefit
from it, as the healthy competition will lead us to additional growth,"
she noted.

At the same time, M.Zhamkochyan said that the Valletta company is
the franchisee of the famous SFC Express (Southern Fried Chicken)
trade mark. At the moment, there are only 2 such fast food centers
in Armenia – in Isahakyan Str.14 and Tigran Mets Str.12. However,
Valletta also has 2 fast food centers under the AFC (Armenian Fried
Chicken) trade mark – in D.Anhaght Str.21 and in the STAR upermarket
in the third Nork Massive. It is planned to open another AFC center
in the Northern Avenue of Yerevan by the end of 2007, and in the
Malatia-Sebastia community and the Third Block in Yerevan, as well
as in the towns of Gyumri and Kirovakan in 2008. People can both
have meals in these fast food restaurants make orders. "The food is
delivered by motorcycles to the client, being at work or at home, in
5-7 minutes after the order was made, if there is no jam of traffic,
of course," M.Zhamkochyan said. As for the quality of the food, she
noted that all the products, which are delivered to SFC and AFC every
day in the morning, undergo expert examination. "As regards the fast
food’s danger for health, the fat content in our food doesn’t exceed
the admissible level and the dishes are not high-caloric. In any case,
none of the clients has complained so far," she assured. The company
imports French fries, as the large content of glucose in local potatoes
hinders the intended effect.

M.Zhamkochyan added that despite the recent boost in prices of food
products in Armenia, the price policy of SFC and AFC will undergo
no changes in the near future. Thus, a portion comprised of hot dog,
French fries and a drink, costs 1000-1200 AMD ($3-3,5). In addition,
the fast food centers regularly hold actions in clients’ favor.

To note, the fast food industry emerged in the United States in the
1920s as an attribute of the post-industrial society.