DALLAS – As Korean popular culture continues to gain popularity in the United States, Bonchon has joined the movement by spreading the joy of its hand-battered, double-fried Korean fried chicken.

According to hospitality industry data and insights provider Black Box Intelligence, Bonchon's year-over-year sales increase of 12% is outperforming the industry average and leading the fast casual and casual dining segments. In 2018 VIG Partners invested in the company, and since then Bonchon’s average unit volume (AUV) has increased by 24.7% to $1.57 million, and this growth has continued through the early part of the year.

“Heading into 2022, we had a focused strategy of building sales and trimming costs where possible, to minimize the impact of high commodity and transportation costs,” said Flynn Dekker, chief executive officer of Bonchon. “We also continue to remain dedicated to the quality of our food, giving people a taste of Korean culture as well as providing a strong franchise opportunity to our partners. Our 20th anniversary is on the horizon this fall, and we have much to celebrate with our fans and can’t wait to do it in true Bonchon style.”

Bonchon has also experienced location growth in both the United States and internationally. It has opened a combination of its new fast casual and full-service model locations in California, Colorado, Minnesota, Texas and Virginia and plans to grow by 20% before the end of the year. Beginning in 2022 the brand has opened new international restaurants in Thailand, Myanmar and Vietnam, with its first location coming to France later this year.

With an expansion strategy in place, Bonchon’s US development pipeline includes signed agreements for more than 120 future restaurants — entering brand new markets such as Delaware, where a location opened in July, Tennessee, Mississippi, Ohio and Alabama.

The global restaurant brand known for distinctive Korean double-fried chicken, Asian fusion cuisine and Korean specialties was born in Busan, South Korea, in 2002. The concept was established in the United States in 2006, and its influence on the restaurant industry and leadership have led to 10 awards in the past 12 months, most notably Nation’s Restaurant News Top 500 Restaurants, in which the brand moved up to #181; Fast Casual Movers & Shakers, with a nearly 40-spot jump on the list; and Entrepreneur magazine, as a Top 200 Global Franchise.