Part 7/15:
The Starbucks sale is emblematic of a wider trend affecting American brands in China. Despite superficial efforts to maintain market presence, U.S. companies like Burger King and KFC are rapidly retreating or rethinking their strategies.
Burger King's Expanding Store Closures
Since entering China in 2005, Burger King expanded swiftly, peaking at 1,474 stores by 2024. However, recent months have seen a wave of closures across China, notably in Wuxi, Shanghai, Hengyang, Ningsha, and Guangdong. Stores such as the one at Bing Hu Wanda Plaza, which operated for nearly 13 years, have quietly shut down.