Following the successful launch of a second site in Paris, where a third is already in the pipeline, the company is looking to roll out the brand across the UK and is seeking master franchisees to do so.
Founded in 2002 by Jinduk Seo in Busan, South Korea, and established in New York in 2006, Bonchon translates to ‘my hometown’ in Korean.
The brand currently has more than 455 restaurants worldwide, with more than 140 in the US as well as international sites located across the Philippines, Thailand, France, Singapore, Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam.
Its chicken is handmade-to-order and finished with signature sauces made in South Korea. Each piece of chicken is hand-brushed and double-fried, for what it claims is the most delicious ‘crunch out loud’ fried chicken in the industry.
Other menu items include chicken wings, drumsticks, and boneless wings. Its US restaurants also offer dishes such as bulgogi fries, potstickers, bao buns, Korean tacos, and popcorn shrimp.
Bonchon is offering prospective partners the opportunity to become the master franchisee for the UK or suitable regions, with an option to sub-franchise after two years of operations. Growth will be supported by its Korea-based team with design, specification, marketing, branding, training, menu research and development, and operations.
“We started working with Bonchon last year to bring their distinctive ‘crunch’ to the UK,” says Simon Chaplin, senior director for pubs, restaurants and franchise at Christie & Co.
“Having visited both sites in Paris, it is clear that Bonchon is a welcome addition to the landscape.
“There is no doubt that chicken-led QSR brands are performing well throughout the UK, and the power of an international partner with over 455 stores and the support of dedicated experts will help the franchisee develop a valuable business over the coming years.”
While there are a number of US players in the fried chicken market in the UK, most notably Wingstop, Slim Chickens Popeyes and KFC, the Korean fried chicken market currently has no major UK players.
