Korean Fried Chicken Chains Expanded Globally in 2024
Major South Korean restaurant brands accelerated international store openings throughout the past year.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Dining Out
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South Korean fried chicken chains BBQ, bhc, and Kyochon opened 184 combined international outlets in 2024. The rapid global expansion was driven by rising local demand for franchise opportunities.
Why it matters
The surge in international interest for Korean-style fried chicken has spurred a significant rise in franchise applications worldwide. This demand has allowed major chains to scale their operations across dozens of countries.
BBQ operates over 700 stores in 57 countries, while bhc reported a 304 percent overseas revenue growth from January through August 2024. Kyochon Chicken earned $10.34 million in third-quarter global revenue.
The players
BBQ
A major South Korean restaurant chain that operates over 700 locations in 57 countries.
bhc
A Korean fried chicken brand that operates 26 international outlets across seven countries.
Kyochon Chicken
A global restaurant chain that operates 82 locations and recently entered the Canadian market.
The details
Growth relies on increasing interest from non-Korean franchisees seeking to enter the fast-casual dining market. BBQ, which already operates in 30 of 50 U.S. states, expects to reach approximately 100 U.S. stores by the end of 2024 and plans to add 200 more by 2025.
Timeline
BBQ opened new outlets in Tennessee in January 2024.
BBQ opened new outlets in Nebraska in May 2024.
BBQ opened new outlets in Arkansas in June 2024.
BBQ opened new outlets in Indiana in September 2024.
BBQ plans to nearly double its U.S. presence throughout 2025.
Culture Shift
The aggressive global expansion of these brands reflects the broader internationalization of Korean culinary culture and fast-casual dining trends. This move mirrors the scaling strategies typically employed by established multinational restaurant conglomerates entering new domestic markets.
Consumers can expect more local franchise locations to open as these brands aggressively pursue their 2025 expansion goals. This growth likely increases the availability of Korean-style chicken in suburban markets and major metropolitan areas alike.
The takeaway
The success of these chains illustrates a growing global appetite for diverse international food franchises. Aspiring operators may find new investment opportunities as these companies continue to prioritize non-Korean franchisee recruitment.
What happens next
BBQ plans to add 200 additional U.S. outlets during the 2025 calendar year.
Further reading
For more on the latest trends in the restaurant sector, visit the Dining Out section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Pulse.
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