[INTERVIEW] Bonchon, early mover in K fried-chicken exports, eyes Korea return

Only four years after the fried chicken brand was founded in Busan, Bonchon opened its first franchised eatery outside Korea in Manhattan in 2006, and its first directly managed one in the same city in 2010. Bonchon International, operator of the brand, has since witnessed major Korean chicken firms follow in its footsteps to enter the world’s largest consumer market. However, CEO Bryan Shin knows that Bonchon's status as the pioneer in the competitive global Korean fried chicken market remains unchallenged. Bonchon International now operates exclusively outside Korea, with approximately 500 restaurants across 10 countries. It achieved nearly $400 million in overall sales last year. The United States and the Philippines are its most important markets, with about 160 establishments each. According to the Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in February, the U.S. overtook China last year to become the largest global market for Korean food companies, with more than 1,100 businesses in total, accounting for 23.8 percent worldwide. Fried chicken was the most popular Korean

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