Carl's Jr. and others coming to Shanghai

U.S. fast food chain Carl's Jr. announced it's targeting to open 100 restaurants in China, a country where they currently have no presence. Fans of its bulging fast food burgers and overtly sexual advertisements will have to hold keep their zippers up, however; the first restaurants aren't expected to open until March of next year. Our childhood memories of Carl's Jr. were of fried zucchini and decent tasting cheeseburgers; our adult memories, thanks to ads like the one embedded here, are even more enriched. We can't wait to see what kind of campaign will be run here; we really hope it doesn't include Yao Ming or Jackie Chan.

Taiwan's President Chain Store Group, which also owns the Greater China rights to such big names as Starbucks and Cold Stone Creamery, has won the rights to expand 7-Eleven stores into Shanghai. The group already owns a total of 4,790 7-Elevens in Taiwan, and about 300 in Guangzhou and 50 in Beijing. We can expect to see our first local 7-Eleven by the end of this year. Egg-tart flavored Slurpees, anyone?

Wisconsin-based Johnsonville Sausage is also trying to create excitement for their brats here in Shanghai. Those of us who have eaten at Orya on the first floor of City Plaza may not have known that the fledgling chain is owned by the American company, who have plans to expand to a total of 30 locations in the future. Our meal at Orya didn't leave too much of an impression, but once upon a time we were brat lovers, and we would like to fall in love again.

Eric Hu is Shanghaiist's Food Editor. Email tips, recommendations, and news and gossip about Shanghai's food scene to food at shanghaiist.com.