O'Brien's Irish Sandwich Bars has announced a franchise agreement with a Singapore-based company to establish 30 sandwich outlets in Asia over the next five years.

Mr Brody Sweeney, managing director, said the Singapore contract came about when the franchisee, Mr Hugh Hoyes-Cock, had the sandwich bars recommended to him by his son, a Royal College of Surgeons student.

Mr Hoyes-Cock's company, Productivity Systems, will introduce the sandwich bars to Malaysia, China, Hong Kong and South Korea. The effect of the Asian crisis on the Malaysian economy meant that sites could be picked up "at good value", Mr Sweeney said.

There are currently 47 outlets. Last year the business had an £8 million (€10 million) turnover, but with the addition of extra sandwich bars, this is set to almost double.