(Yicai Global) Feb. 8 -- Yang Guofu Mala Tang, a popular Chinese restaurant chain that specializes in a spicy soup dish similar to hotpot, is applying to list overseas, according to regulators.

Operator Shanghai Yang Guofu Enterprise Management has submitted its application to go public on an overseas market, the China Securities Regulatory Commission said. Unconfirmed reports last month said that the Harbin, northern Heilongjiang province-based restaurant chain was aiming for a Hong Kong listing.

With over 6,000 outlets both at home and abroad, Yang Guofu Mala Tang is one of two giants in China’s spicy soup market. The other is Zhangliang Spicy Hotpot and together they run 11,000 branches, more than that of Kentucky Fried Chicken, according to the Hongshi Pinpai research institute.

Founder, Chairman and General Manager Yang Guofu holds a 40 percent stake. The chain was expecting to log revenue of CNY1.3 billion (USD204 million) in 2019, Yang said that year.

Editor: Kim Taylor