Bonchon Franchise

Originally created in South Korea and brought to American consumers in the mid-2000s, Bonchon helped introduce Korean fried chicken to a mainstream U.S. audience. The brand is known for its signature "crisp-first" double-frying technique, which locks in a distinctive crunch before each piece is hand-tossed in soy garlic or spicy glaze. The menu extends beyond wings and drumsticks to include Korean-style sandwiches, rice bowls, and shareable appetizers, positioned to appeal to both everyday quick-service diners and adventurous food enthusiasts. Bonchon restaurants operate on a multi-channel model built around dine-in, takeout, and third-party delivery, making the format flexible for a variety of retail environments, from suburban strip centers to dense urban corridors.

Bonchon combines an internationally established brand with a streamlined operational system designed for consistency and speed. The kitchen workflow is built around a relatively simple, high-turnover process centered on fried chicken, which supports efficient staffing and throughput even during peak hours. The brand's strong delivery penetration and multi-channel sales strategy help franchisees capture revenue beyond the four walls of the restaurant. As part of a hybrid network that includes both corporate and franchised locations, Bonchon offers franchisees the benefit of a system tested at scale, along with ongoing brand development, national marketing initiatives, and a well-defined supply chain for proprietary sauces and ingredients.

Bonchon is best suited to franchise candidates with restaurant or multi-unit retail experience, strong local market knowledge, and the financial capacity to support a fast-casual buildout. Ideal partners are hands-on operators who can manage staff, oversee day-to-day operations, and commit to brand standards across kitchen execution and customer experience. Multi-unit developers with access to capital and experience in QSR or fast-casual dining are especially well positioned to grow within the system, particularly in suburban retail corridors and urban markets with strong foot traffic and delivery demand.

According to disclosed franchise figures, the total investment to open a Bonchon location generally ranges from approximately $567,000 to over $1.2 million, depending on the format chosen — inline, end-cap, or a delivery-focused footprint — as well as real estate costs and local market conditions. The initial franchise fee is set at approximately $35,000. Ongoing costs include a royalty fee of around 5% of gross sales, along with a marketing fund contribution of roughly 1.5% to 4% of gross sales, which supports national branding, digital marketing, and product development. These figures place Bonchon among the mid-to-upper investment tier of fast-casual and Asian-inspired restaurant franchises. Franchisees also benefit from structured onboarding support, including site selection guidance, restaurant design specifications, staff training programs, and access to the brand's proprietary sauce and ingredient supply chain.

• Sector: Korean fast-casual restaurant, fried chicken
• Franchise fee: approximately $35,000
• Total investment: approximately $567,000 to $1.2 million+
• Royalty fee: approximately 5% of gross sales
• Marketing fund: approximately 1.5%–4% of gross sales
• Average unit volume: approximately $1.3 million to $1.5 million
• Business model: dine-in, takeout, and delivery

If you're ready to bring a globally loved Korean fried chicken concept to your local market, now is the time to learn more. Reach out today to request detailed franchise information and take the first step toward becoming a Bonchon franchisee.