US brands McDonald’s and Subway plan to take bigger slices of the Korean fast food market.

McDonald’s says it plans to more than double its network in Korea to 103 stores before the year ends, from the current 53 it has opened since landing in the nation in 2010.

“Adding more franchise stores is consistent with our parent company’s global strategy,” said McDonald’s Korea executive Han Yeon-mi.

Worldwide, McDonald’s has 34,000 stores, 80 per cent of which are run under franchise.

Meanwhile, Subway said it will open 300 new outlets over the next three years in Korea, up from the current 78.

The salads and sandwiches maker believes it has a strong opportunity in the market because Koreans are increasingly health-conscious.