Foodies have a good time at the KFC outlet at Regent as a labourer (above) works on the soon-to-be-opened joint in Rajapul, on Thursday. Pictures by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

Santa Claus has a delicious gift for foodies who think “zinger burger” is a synonym for “yummy”.

A new Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) outlet is expected at Rajapul around Christmas or New Year. “The new outlet spread over 34,000sqft would be able to accommodate 95 people at a time,” said Ruchika Gupta, public relations officer, KFC.

This would be the second restaurant of the popular international fast food brand in the city. The first one opened at Gandhi Maidan on November 29.

“We are excited to see the response to KFC in Patna,” said Gupta. “Our second restaurant in the city is under construction at present. We are planning to open it as soon as possible.”

Asked if KFC plans to expand its base in the state, the PRO added: “We have plans to open two more outlets in Patna in the next year.”

The short journey of KFC in the city has not been entirely smooth, though. On December 13, the maiden hub at Gandhi Maidan was closed down because its managers had not submitted the necessary documents to the authorities concerned. It reopened four days later after the completion of all the formalities.

“I was shocked when the KFC at Gandhi Maidan shut down,” said Boring Road resident Vidhyut, who has become a frequent visitor to the restaurant.

Such interruptions would be a thing of the past, claimed the KFC management.

PRO Gupta said: “We are a responsible brand and care for the well-being of our customers and employees. All our outlets will operate with proper licences and comply with all the rules.”

Customers are naturally very excited about the new KFC outlet. “I love fried chicken wings. I waited almost half-an-hour to get the order on the first day at the KFC outlet at Regent. But I didn’t mind. I am sure things will be better once the second outlet opens.”

Singh would not have to wait for long to visit the new restaurant at Rajapul, sharing roof with the Pantaloons showroom. “We have been given the deadline of December 24 to finish the construction,” said Yashir Shekh, a senior executive of the company that is building the restaurants, adding that the work had been going on without any interruption for the past 15 days.

The prospect of delicious fried chicken seems to have boosted the festive mood of all and sundry. Food and consumer protection minister Shyam Rajak said: “Restaurants are coming up all over the city. It means there is a market for them in Patna.”

Plans of Yum! — a company based in US that manages brands like KFC and Pizza Hut — confirmed the minister’s claim. If you thought more KFCs was a great idea, think again. The city could have two more Pizza Huts next year. Yashir Shekh said: “After opening the KFC outlets, we would shift focus to Pizza Hut.”

The sole Pizza Hut outlet in the city at present is at P&M Mall, Patliputra.