JOIN THE MISSION TO SHARE THE JOY OF KOREAN COMFORT FOOD AROUND THE WORLD

Ready to Bring Bonchon to Your Community?

Experience (background/restaurant experience including name(s) of franchise brands) *
Email Communication *
Text / SMS Communication *

* This information is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise. It is for information purposes only. An offer is made only by a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) in those jurisdictions that require it. Currently, the following states regulate the offer and sale of franchises: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. If you are a resident of or want to locate a franchise in one of these states, we will not offer you a franchise unless and until we have complied with applicable pre-sale registration and disclosure requirements in your jurisdiction. The information contained in this website is not inconsistent with our FDD. This advertisement is not an offering. An offering can only be made by a prospectus filed first with the appropriate state regulatory agencies. Such filing does not constitute approval by those states.

ABOUT BONCHON

Bonchon has built its name around Korean comfort food and its signature double-fried, hand-sauced chicken. Since launching in 2002, the brand has grown into an international concept with more than 500 locations worldwide. While it has operated in several formats over the years, Bonchon’s current prototype leans into a more polished fast-casual model built for today’s guests. The Bonchon experience starts with its signature Korean fried chicken. Thanks to the brand’s double-frying process, the chicken has a thin, crisp crust that stays crunchy as you eat. From there, Korean-inspired sauces and traditional side dishes help round out the menu and introduce guests to a broader range of flavors.

  • How much it costs
  • Why Bonchon, Why Now?
  • What Sets Bonchon Apart?
  • Why You?
  • Why Franchisees Love Bonchon

According to the 2026 Franchise Disclosure document, the estimated initial investment to open a fast casual Bonchon restaurant ranges from $772,536 to $1,073,926.

In 2025, 26 Bonchon locations operating under the fast casual model reported an average unit volume of over $1 million.

$262,382 - $1,306,126
Start-Up Cost
$35,000
Franchise Fee
5%
Royalty

* This information is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise. It is for information purposes only. An offer is made only by a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) in those jurisdictions that require it. Currently, the following states regulate the offer and sale of franchises: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. If you are a resident of or want to locate a franchise in one of these states, we will not offer you a franchise unless and until we have complied with applicable pre-sale registration and disclosure requirements in your jurisdiction. The information contained in this website is not inconsistent with our FDD. This advertisement is not an offering. An offering can only be made by a prospectus filed first with the appropriate state regulatory agencies. Such filing does not constitute approval by those states.

Korean culture is having a moment across the American mainstream. From K-pop on the rise to the increasing prevalence of Korean flavors across the broader food landscape, there is a deep demand for the culture that Bonchon is perfectly positioned to capture. Having moved past the “if you know, you know” stage, Bonchon is rapidly gaining momentum and expanding into a mainstream powerhouse with plans to grow by hundreds of U.S. locations in the coming years. Bonchon’s growth in catering also reflects rising interest in Korean cuisine as a fun and unexpected alternative to traditional food options. 

As the larger chicken industry continues to thrive, Bonchon’s flavor and quality differentiators help it to stand out among guests. And for operators, a new, sleeker, “Bonchon of the future” prototype doubles down on efficiency and profitability. This allows local operators to scale and dominate their markets more quickly, setting the stage for real local impact and a legacy-creation opportunity.

Bonchon’s biggest differentiator is the product itself. The double-fried crunch and proprietary, founder-formulated sauces make the Bonchon dining experience truly unique. Each piece of chicken is hand-brushed with sauce to ensure proper distribution and a premium dining experience. The technique also makes Bonchon’s chicken retain its crunch and travel well as a popular choice for off-premise dining. This care and precision level up the product, transforming what would be standard fried chicken into a flavorful, culturally exciting dish that guests are willing to pay more for — as evidenced by an average ticket size of over $35.

Operationally, Bonchon focuses on what really matters. By staying selective about sauce options and refusing to clutter the menu with excessive choices that lead to confusion and waste, the brand positions franchisees to maintain higher standards, better accuracy and accessibility for first-timers and returning guests alike.

You believe in the Bonchon vision and are ready to grow in your market. Bonchon is seeking partners who truly love the brand and are looking to grow, not just “buy a job,” prioritizing multi-unit operators who have the experience and capital necessary to build multiple successful fast casual restaurants.

Bonchon requires leadership that can balance great real estate with tight operations in a sleek, modern model. If you have a background in restaurant management, a passion for building and leading teams, and the drive to be part of a global brand’s U.S. growth story, you’re who Bonchon is looking for.

Franchisees love Bonchon because it offers a high-value product with a massive, dedicated following. With a high-powered corporate team, “Crunch Club” email list with over 250,000 fans, active social media and valuable influencer partnerships, Bonchon provides the marketing muscle that continues to grow the brand’s relevance, allowing franchisees to pour into local operations even more, emphasizing service and quality day in and day out.

Awards and Recognition

Bonchon is consistently recognized as a leader in the franchise space. It is ranked on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500, has been recognized as the “gold standard” for fried chicken by Business Insider, and has been spotlighted in FSR for its leadership in the larger conversations around Korean food.

Executive Q&A
executivePlay

Executive Q&A with Suzie Tsai, CEO of Bonchon

Tsai joined 1851 Franchise publisher Nick Powills on a recent episode of the “Meet the Franchise” podcast to discuss building a scalable franchise model, the importance of simplicity in restaurant operations and how Bonchon is driving traffic without relying on price increases.

Read More

Franchise Growth Markets
  • Expanding
  • Top Growth Market
  • Unavailable Markets

Ready to Bring Bonchon to Your Community?

Experience (background/restaurant experience including name(s) of franchise brands) *
Email Communication *
Text / SMS Communication *

* This information is not intended as an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise. It is for information purposes only. An offer is made only by a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) in those jurisdictions that require it. Currently, the following states regulate the offer and sale of franchises: California, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. If you are a resident of or want to locate a franchise in one of these states, we will not offer you a franchise unless and until we have complied with applicable pre-sale registration and disclosure requirements in your jurisdiction. The information contained in this website is not inconsistent with our FDD. This advertisement is not an offering. An offering can only be made by a prospectus filed first with the appropriate state regulatory agencies. Such filing does not constitute approval by those states.