Franchising

Bonchon adding to New York, New Jersey footprints

provided

November 2, 2022

Bonchon, a Korean fried chicken brand with over 120 U.S. locations, is adding five locations in New York and New Jersey via a deal with YCY International FB1. The restaurants are set for Kings County and Queens County in New York, as well as Middlesex County and Bergen County in New Jersey with the first location opening in 2023.

The brand has 13 locations in New York and New Jersey as well as 390-plus units worldwide, including in the countries of Cambodia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Australia, Thailand and Vietnam.

"Expanding further into New York and New Jersey is a major priority for our ongoing development," Greg Buchanan, chief administrative officer, said in a company press release. "As we broaden the communities we serve and grow our fanbase, we look to the talented franchisees behind this momentum."

In addition to the brand's growth planned for the New York and New Jersey markets, there are several other factors driving Bonchon's momentum, such as reaching a 24.7% AUV increase to $1.57 million since the time VIG Partners invested in the company at the end of 2018. According to Black Box Intelligence data, Bonchon's year-over-year sales increase of 12% is outperforming the industry average and leading the fast casual and casual dining segments.

Bonchon, which translates from Korean to English as "my hometown," serves hand-battered, double-fried chicken. Born in Busan, South Korea in 2002, Bonchon's founder Jinduk Seo brought the brand to the U.S. in 2006.