RECOMMENDED READING

  • Enhancing Growth Trajectory: Strategic Executive Appointments at Tropical Smoothie Cafe

    By Adrianne Irwin • Feb. 12, 2025

  • The Rise and Fall of a Pizza Hut Franchisee: A Story of Financial Mismanagement and Bankruptcy

    By Anastasia Ivers • Jul. 25, 2024

  • The Art of Acquiring Franchises: Tucker’s Farm Corp. Acquires Pizza Factory Inc.

    By Ava Ingram • Jan. 14, 2025

  • The Rise of Jollibee: A Closer Look at Fast Food Franchising Success

    By Ava Ingram • Mar. 12, 2025

  • The Future of Franchising: Jack in the Box Expansion Strategy and Growth Plans

    By Ava Ingram • Nov. 22, 2024

  • Unveiling the Secrets of Restaurant Franchising with Lynette McKee from Potbelly Sandwich Works

    By Anastasia Ivers • Aug. 10, 2024

  • The Acquisition of Kelly's Roast Beef: A New Era of Franchising and Expansion

    By Ava Ingram • Jan. 8, 2025

Restaurant Association Logo

Restaurant Association

Empowering restaurant professionals with free resources, training, and networking opportunities to build successful businesses.

Sign Up Free

Pages

  • Articles
  • News
  • Topics
  • Shows
  • Academy
  • Events
  • Jobs

About

  • About Us
  • Our Team
  • Contact Us
  • Sitemap

Resources

  • Library
  • Templates

Connect

LinkedInInstagramTikTokYouTubeX
  • Editorial Ethics Policy
  • Review Guidelines
  • Disclosure Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service

© 2026 Restaurant Association. All rights reserved.

logo
  1. News
  2. Topics
  3. Shows
  4. Academy
  5. Events
  6. Jobs
  7. Resources

    Videos

  • No results found

  • Articles

  • No results found

Log InSign Up Free
logo
LoginSign Up

    Videos

  • No results found

  • Articles

  • No results found

  1. Shows
  2. Academy
  3. Events
  4. Jobs

Become a member of the Restaurant Association!

Unlock exclusive access to webinars, events, and the latest news for FREE!

Sign up
Restaurant Association Logo

Accelerating Growth: The Franchising Strategy of Bonchon

Explore how Bonchon plans to accelerate its growth through strategic franchise development with industry experts Wheeler and Haddad.

Updated On Jul. 25, 2025 Published Jul. 25, 2025

Adrianne Irwin

Adrianne Irwin

a city street with a mountain in the background

Photo by Jean-Baptiste D. on Unsplash

https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1707273549102-f080a8ced169?ixid=M3w2MjYzNjJ8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHw1fHxCb25jaG9ufGVufDB8MHx8fDE3NTM0MzU4MTF8MA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0

Photo by Jean-Baptiste D. on Unsplash

Expertise Driving Growth

With industry veterans Wheeler and Haddad on board, Bonchon is poised for accelerated growth through strategic franchise development. Wheeler's experience overseeing development for renowned brands like Salata, Pollo Campero, and Cinnabon brings a wealth of knowledge to enhance Bonchon's expansion. Similarly, Haddad's background at Drive Shack and Sun Holdings, managing construction projects for major chains such as Burger King and Arby’s, reinforces Bonchon's commitment to quality and efficiency in building its franchise network.

Strategic Growth Goals

Bonchon's strategic aim to double its global units from 500 to 1,000 within the next five years sets a bold trajectory for the brand's expansion. Focusing on the U.S. market, where it already operates 147 stores, Bonchon's targeted growth areas include key markets like Chicago, Los Angeles County, and San Antonio. Leveraging the expertise of Wheeler and Haddad, Bonchon aims to capitalize on high-potential markets and establish a stronger presence in the competitive restaurant industry.

https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1571333516836-9771a8052c7a?ixid=M3w2MjYzNjJ8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyfHxCb25jaG9ufGVufDB8MHx8fDE3NTM0MzU4MTF8MA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0

Photo by Jean-Baptiste D. on Unsplash

Unit Format and Revenue Streams

In line with its growth strategy, Bonchon plans to concentrate on its successful unit formats, particularly emphasizing the fast-casual model. While the brand's dine-in restaurants average around $1.6 million in revenue, its fast-casual units bring in approximately $1.1 million, showcasing the brand's revenue diversity. By aligning development efforts with these successful formats, Bonchon aims to optimize its revenue streams and capitalize on consumer preferences.

https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1571333516836-9771a8052c7a?ixid=M3w2MjYzNjJ8MHwxfHNlYXJjaHwyfHxCb25jaG9ufGVufDB8MHx8fDE3NTM0MzU4MTF8MA&ixlib=rb-4.1.0

Photo by Jean-Baptiste D. on Unsplash

Innovative Prototype and Market Trends

Bonchon's forthcoming fast-casual prototype, developed in collaboration with its Korean team, represents a significant step towards enhancing the dining experience. This prototype, tailored for restaurants between 1,500 to 2,500 square feet, introduces a modern counter-service model with digital kiosks, aiming to elevate customer convenience and brand engagement. Moreover, with the rising demand for Asian flavors predicted by the National Restaurant Association, Bonchon's focus on authentic Korean cuisine aligns with evolving consumer preferences for unique dining experiences.