Franchising

Dae Gee Korean BBQ signs 1st franchisee agreement

Provided

March 7, 2022

Dae Gee Korean BBQ, a hybrid fast casual and full-service Korean barbeque concept blending Korean food tradition with American culture, has signed its first franchise agreement for the development of two restaurants in Amarillo, Texas. Owned and operated by local entrepreneur Phuc Nguyen, who already owns and operates two nail salons in the area, plans to open the first of his two restaurants within the next 12 months.

"My decision to bring this great concept to Amarillo comes at a time when Korean food continues to gain more popularity among U.S. consumers," Nguyen said in a company press release. "With a complexity of different flavors and cuisine largely comprised of proteins, vegetables, grains and assorted spices, Korean food is a great choice for the health-conscious and clean-eating consumer. And the trend shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. I'm eager to bring Dae Gee's great food, outstanding service, and overall dining experience to the people of Amarillo."

At Dae Gee, customers are exposed to an interactive experience that allows them to cook their own meat on grill tops at their tables when they dine. The traditional Korean meats like Galbee (beef shortribs), Sam Gyeob Sal (sliced pork belly) and Dak Bulgogi (chicken) are marinated in Dae Gee's secret marinade and served in a bowl or hot stone pot, or tucked inside lettuce and eaten as a wrap. Fish and vegetarian options are also available.

"We're thrilled to welcome Phuc to the Dae Gee family and look forward to opening our first Texas restaurant," Dae Gee founder Joseph Kim said in the release. "We're excited to expand into this new market and are dedicated to Dae Gee's success and future growth in The Lone Star State."

Including a franchise fee of $45,000, the total investment to open a Dae Gee restaurant ranges from $679,375 to $954,125.

The local expansion announcement comes just a few months after Dae Gee announced the launch of its franchise opportunity and plans to expand across the Western United States.

Founded in 2012, Dae Gee (which means pig in Korean) has five corporate-owned restaurants in Colorado.