(Yicai) Jan. 7 -- Domino's Pizza opened 14 new restaurants in 13 cities across China over the Christmas and New Year holiday period, increasing its presence in the country to 46 cities, according to DPC Dash, the US pizza chain’s exclusive franchisee in China.

The latest Chinese cities to get a Domino’s are Chongqing, one of four municipalities that report directly to the central government, provincial capitals Shenyang, Shijiazhuang, and Zhengzhou, and nine mid-sized cities in the east and south of the country, DPC Dash announced today.

The decision to open in these cities was made after thorough consideration of local consumer demand and market potential, DPC Dash noted, adding that the new eateries have not yet started providing delivery services.

Michigan-based Domino's opened its first restaurant in China in Beijing in 1997 and now has over 1,000 outlets across the country. It aims open 300 to 350 eateries annually in China this year and next year, according to an expansion plan set out last year.

Editor: Futura Costaglione