Singapore-listed Yoma Strategic Holdings signed a franchise deal with US Focus Brands to bring Auntie Anne’s soft pretzels brand to Myanmar. In the coming months, the first outlet in Yangon will be opened. Myanmar will be the latest addition for the American soft pretzel franchise. Auntie Anne’s has 1,800 outlets across 30 countries and has established a strong presence in the ASEAN region. While Myanmar’s economy has seen a slowdown and a drop of investor confidence, some international brands still continued to expand their presence in Myanmar to tap into the growing consumer market. Yoma stated that its food and beverage business is targeting the shifting consumption patterns and the rising disposable income of the country’s growing middle class. The group’s F&B subsidiary stated to reach a USD 10 million turnover by 2022, according to reports. Auntie Anne’s will be joining KFC and Little Sheep Hotpot in Yoma’s food and beverage franchise portfolio. The first franchise of Little Sheep is planned to be opened by end of this year.