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Bruster’s expanding to South Korea

After opening its first West Coast location earlier this year, Bruster’s is now headed for South Korea.

June 23, 2015

After opening its first West Coast location earlier this year, Bruster’s is now headed for South Korea. A 10-unit development agreement for its first Asian shops has been signed with Lee & Brusters Inc., according to a company press release. Site selection for two locations is underway in Seoul and Busan. The first Bruster’s will open in later this year early 2016.

“I became familiar with Bruster’s amazing ice cream when I was living in Atlanta,” said Hye Young Lee, CEO of Lee & Bruster  Inc., which was created to develop Bruster’s in South Korea. “Bruster’s premium, freshly made ice cream will be a huge success, as it is far superior to the factory produced, deep frozen product sold by other chains.”

Lee & Brusters Inc. shares Bruster’s values for serving the best ice cream, while mentoring employees and giving back to local communities, said Jim Sahene, Bruster’s CEO.

“We’re pleased to welcome them to the Bruster’s family. This is an important step in our international growth strategy," said Sahene. Bruster’s already operates outside the United States with two stores in Guyana.

South Koreans will be introduced to Bruster’s through full-size shops serving ice cream, shakes, sundaes and other popular treats, and kiosk locations will present a more limited menu.

“We are very excited about bringing Bruster’s to South Korea and we are working 24/7 to get the first two shops open,” Lee said.

Bruster’s, founded in 1989, is experiencing the strongest sales growth in its history and is in the midst of 10 quarters of continuous same-store sales growth. Last year, 45 shops set sales records. It expects to open at least 12 locations this year, Sahene said.