After 2 Years South Koreans Can Once Again Order Popeyes
South Koreans love fried chicken, but it's been a while since they were able to sink their teeth into a crispy chicken sandwich from Popeyes. However, that is about to change with the announcement that Popeyes will once again operate in South Korea's largest city, Seoul.
Popeyes had previously operated in South Korea, but its restaurants closed in December 2020 due to weak sales and other difficulties, according to The Korea Herald. In recent years, restaurants specializing in hamburgers have dominated the restaurant market, with Shake Shack and Five Guys joining longtime operator McDonald's. Overall, the fast food market is growing in South Korea, according to The Korea Herald. Popeyes will sell its seasoned chicken food items in Seoul, including its famous sandwiches. Now operating 3,600 restaurants in more than 25 countries around the world, Popeyes first opened in New Orleans in 1972, according to the announcement. It is now one of the largest fast-food chicken restaurants in the world. Popeyes also previously announced expansion plans for the United States.
Hundreds of restaurants to open
In the coming years, hundreds of Popeyes restaurants will be opened in South Korea under an agreement between Popeyes and the wholly-owned subsidiary of Silla Co., Ltd., according to the announcement. The first restaurant will be located in Gangnam Station in the southern area of Seoul, reports The Korea Herald. Employees will begin training at the restaurant on November 14.
David Shear, president of RBI International, the parent company of Popeyes, said the company is committed to bringing its Louisiana-style chicken to people around the world, and it plans to continue to grow its footprint in the Asia Pacific region. Shear also said South Korea is one of the largest chicken quick service markets (QSR) in the world. The restaurants in South Korea will have the latest technology and will use digital ordering screens, mobile ordering, and delivery, per the announcement.
"Chicken is one of the largest and fastest-growing categories in the South Korean QSR segment. We are proud to bring the famous Popeyes brand to South Korea and we believe that our guests will love Popeyes iconic Chicken Sandwich," said MoonKyung Lee, senior managing director of Silla Group's F&B Division. He said the restaurant chain locations will also employ hundreds of workers in the next few years.