The United States has officially become the world’s largest overseas market for Korean franchise restaurants, surpassing China for the first time in five years, according to new government data released Thursday.
A joint report by South Korea’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT) revealed that as of December 2025, the U.S. hosts more than 1,100 Korean franchise outlets, compared to 830 in China.
This marks a dramatic reversal from 2020, when China dominated the rankings with 1,368 Korean franchise stores, far ahead of the U.S., which had just 528 outlets.
Shift in K-Food’s Global Power Map
“The most notable change over the past five years is the shift in K-food’s main global market,” the government said in the report.
Between 2020 and 2025, the number of Korean franchise restaurants in the U.S. surged 109 percent, now accounting for 24 percent of the global total. China’s share, meanwhile, fell sharply to 18 percent, following a 39.3 percent decline in store numbers.
Officials attributed China’s contraction to intensifying competition and changing market conditions, which led several Korean food companies to slow or suspend expansion efforts there.
From Quantity to Quality: The New K-Food Strategy
The rapid growth of Korean brands in the U.S. reflects a strategic shift from “quantitative growth” to “qualitative growth,” the ministry explained.
In the past, Korean food companies focused on rapidly opening large numbers of stores across China and Southeast Asia. Today, the emphasis has shifted toward brand power, localization, and premium positioning, especially in Western markets.
Leading this transformation are fried chicken and bakery brands, which have gained strong local followings in the U.S. and are now driving global expansion.
Fried Chicken & Bakeries Dominate
The most active Korean franchises in the U.S. include:
- Genesis BBQ
- Bonchon Chicken
- Paris Baguette (SPC Group)
- Tous Les Jours (CJ Foodville)
Globally, fried chicken and bakery brands account for 64 percent of all Korean franchise outlets, with:
- 1,809 fried chicken stores
- 1,182 bakery shops
Both categories have expanded significantly compared to five years ago, highlighting their growing international appeal.
K-Food Goes Truly Global
As of 2025, Korean food companies operate 4,644 franchise outlets in 56 countries, up from 3,722 outlets in 48 countries in 2020.
After the U.S. and China, the largest overseas markets for Korean franchises are:
- Vietnam
- Philippines
- Thailand
- Taiwan
- Malaysia
- Canada
- Indonesia
- Japan
Excluding China, all of these markets recorded growth in Korean franchise store numbers over the past five years.
Beyond fried chicken and bakeries, Korean brands overseas span a wide range of categories, including traditional Korean cuisine, pizza, burgers, street food, coffee, liquor, and specialty beverages.
KOREA FBI Editor’s Comment
K-food’s rise in the U.S. isn’t just about popularity—it’s about brand maturity. Fried chicken and bakeries have become cultural entry points, helping Korean franchises move from fast expansion to long-term influence. With quality, storytelling, and localization now front and center, the U.S. may be just the beginning of K-food’s next global chapter.
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