Texas Chicken, the international sister brand of Church"s Texas Chicken, announced plans to enter China with its first restaurant expected to open in Shanghai. The company said its agreement with Chinese operator Deke Shengtang would support the development of at least 600 restaurants nationwide over the coming years.

　　Meanwhile, Louisiana-based fried chicken chain Popeyes is accelerating its China expansion after re-entering the Chinese market in 2020 following its 2003 exit. The brand reopened in Beijing in April with a flagship store and later opened a new outlet in Hangzhou on Friday, with more stores in Shanghai, Nanjing and Beijing set to open later this month, according to its WeChat account.

　　During the recent visit to Chaoyang Joy City, a Beijing-based office worker surnamed Zhang told the Global Times that he was looking forward to Five Guys" opening, saying the arrival of more international brands would give consumers, especially younger diners, more choices.

　　"I have tried Popeyes before, and I"m looking forward to seeing Five Guys come to Beijing," Zhang said. "Chinese young consumers today are more willing to explore different cuisines and pay attention to taste, quality and dining experiences. The arrival of more international brands shows that Beijing"s dining market is becoming more diverse and vibrant."

　　"The renewed investment by US restaurant brands in China shows that international companies remain optimistic about the prospects of the Chinese consumer market," Su Jian, a professor at Peking University"s National School of Development, told the Global Times on Thursday.

　　"China"s consumption market is undergoing a transition toward higher-quality growth, while the potential of Chinese consumers remains significant. As economic restructuring advances and the economy continues to recover, consumption potential is expected to be further released over the long term," Su said.