LAST UPDATED:  April 2026 FRANCHISE WEBSITE:  https://franchising.bonchon.com/ 1851 FRANCHISE PAGE: https://1851franchise.com/bonchon NUMBER OF LOCATIONS:  500+ REPORTED COST TO GET IN:  $262,382 - $1,306,126 (depending on restaurant type) REPORTED ROI (Item 19):  See below Bonchon is an international fast-casual restaurant brand specializing in Korean fried chicken, known for its hand-battered, double-fried cooking method and signature sauces that deliver a distinctively crispy texture and bold flavor. The concept blends traditional Korean comfort food with a modern restaurant format, offering a globally recognized dining experience built around consistency, quality and craveable menu items. 1. What Is the Brand Overview for Bonchon? About the Brand Bonchon was founded in 2002 in Busan, South Korea, by Jinduk Seo, who set out to share the flavors of his hometown through a concept built around his perfected sauces and cooking techniques. The brand expanded to the United States in 2006, opening its first location and quickly building a following for its unique take on fried chicken. From there, it continued to grow internationally, evolving into a global franchise system with multiple restaurant formats designed to fit a range of markets. Mission:  Bonchon’s mission is to share the joy of Korean comfort food around the world Vision:  The brand aims to bring the flavors of its Korean hometown to more U.S. communities while continuing to expand its presence worldwide. Unique Selling Points (USPs) Signature Double-Fried Chicken: Each piece is hand-battered and fried twice for a consistently crisp texture that holds up to sauce. Distinctive Korean Flavors:  The menu is built around proprietary sauces developed by founder Jinduk Seo, delivering a balance of sweet, savory and heat that stands out from traditional American fried chicken. Made-to-Order Preparation: Chicken is cooked fresh rather than held, prioritizing quality and texture over speed alone. Globally Inspired Menu:  In addition to fried chicken, the brand offers a broader selection of Korean comfort foods, giving guests a more diverse dining experience. Bonchon International R&D Chef Jae Park keeps Bonchon’s menu fresh and relevant to different markets, mixing in more limited-time only dishes with the brand’s signature core favorites. Consistent Experience Across Locations:  Standardized recipes and cooking methods ensure guests can expect the same flavor and quality whether they visit domestically or internationally. Modern, Approachable Dining Environment:  The concept blends fast-casual convenience with a polished, sit-down feel, appealing to a wide range of customers. 2. What Are the Franchise Opportunity Details? Why Franchise With Bonchon? Proven Operating Model: A defined system built around standardized recipes, cooking techniques and operational processes supports consistency and scalability. Flexible Restaurant Formats: Multiple footprints and layouts allow franchisees to adapt the concept to different real estate opportunities and market conditions. Comprehensive Training and Support:  Structured onboarding and ongoing operational guidance help franchisees execute the brand’s standards from day one. Marketing and Brand Support:  National and local marketing initiatives are designed to drive traffic and build long-term customer loyalty. Supply Chain and Product Consistency:  Centralized sourcing and proprietary ingredients help maintain quality while simplifying operations for franchisees. Growth Potential Within a Scalable System:  The model is designed to support multi-unit development and expansion into new territories. Established Global Brand Foundation:  A strong international footprint provides credibility and built-in awareness in both emerging and mature markets. Available Territories Bonchon is  offering franchise opportunities across the United States in open and underdeveloped markets, as well as internationally in select countries throughout Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Taiwan. The brand is focused on expanding through a territory-based development approach, giving franchisees the opportunity to grow within defined markets while building on its established global presence. Investment Overview Initial Costs:  The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a Bonchon franchise ranges from $1,000,886 to $1,306,126 for a dine-in restaurant, $722,536 to $1,073,926 for a fast-casual restaurant, $588,936 to $833,376 for a deliver/carryout restaurant and $262,382 to $431,772 for a remote kitchen. The 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows: Type of Expenditure Dine-In Fast-Casual Min Max Min Max Initial Franchise Fee $35,000 $35,000 $35,000 $35,000 Pre-Opening Training $6,321 $19,711 $6,321 $19,711 Real Property $6,700 $25,000 $6,000 $20,800 Construction/Leasehold Improvements $500,000 $600,000 $350,000 $450,000 Equipment $230,000 $250,000 $200,000 $220,000 Furniture & Fixtures $80,000 $100,000 $50,000 $70,000 Smallwares & Small Appliances $23,500 $25,000 $12,600 $13,500 Uniforms $750 $1,500 $500 $1,000 Computer & POS System $20,000 $50,000 $20,000 $50,000 Opening Inventory $9,500 $12,500 $13,000 $16,500 Security Deposits & Other Prepaid Expenses $5,000 $15,000 $5,000 $15,000 Professional Fees $4,500 $6,000 $4,500 $6,000 Signs $10,000 $30,000 $10,000 $30,000 Architect & Engineering Fees $35,000 $46,000 $25,000 $36,000 Opening Advertising $5,000 $10,000 $5,000 $10,000 Pre-Opening Labor $9,615 $20,415 $9,615 $20,415 Additional Funds (3 Months) $20,000 $60,000 $20,000 $60,000 Type of Expenditure Delivery/Carryout Remote Kitchen Min Max Min Max Initial Franchise Fee $35,000 $35,000 $35,000 $35,000 Pre-Opening Training $6,321 $19,711 $6,321 $19,711 Real Property $4,000 $11,250 $4,000 $15,000 Construction/Leasehold Improvements $250,000 $300,000 $20,000 $50,000 Equipment $160,000 $180,000 $120,000 $150,000 Furniture & Fixtures $20,000 $40,000 $0 $0 Smallwares & Small Appliances $10,000 $12,000 $8,500 $9,500 Uniforms $500 $1,000 $350 $750 Computer & POS System $20,000 $50,000 $10,000 $20,000 Opening Inventory $9,000 $12,000 $9,000 $12,000 Security Deposits & Other Prepaid Expenses $5,000 $15,000 $2,500 $5,000 Professional Fees $4,500 $6,000 $4,500 $6,000 Signs $10,000 $30,000 $0 $5,000 Architect & Engineering Fees $20,000 $31,000 $10,000 $21,000 Opening Advertising $5,000 $10,000 $5,000 $7,500 Pre-Opening Labor $9,615 $20,415 $7,211 $15,311 Additional Funds (3 Months) $20,000 $60,000 $20,000 $60,000 Initial Franchise Fee:  The initial fee for opening a single Bonchon franchise, regardless of type, is $35,000, which is payable upon signing the franchise agreement. Franchisees signing an area development agreement to develop and operate two or more Bonchon restaurants must pay an initial fee of $35,000, plus an additional $10,000 deposit for each subsequent restaurant. This deposit will be applied against the initial franchise fee as each restaurant is developed. The franchise fee for multiple restaurants is as follows: Restaurants 1-5: $35,000 Restaurants 6-10:  $30,000 Restaurants 11+:  $25,000 Qualifying U.S. military veterans are eligible for a $10,000 discount on the initial franchise fee for their first Bonchon restaurant. Ongoing Fees:  According to the 2026 FDD, Bonchon franchisees are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees: Type of Fee Amount Continuing Royalty 5% of gross revenues/week System Brand Fund Contribution Up to 4% of gross revenues/week (Currently at 3.0%) Minimum Expenditure for Local Advertising First Year: $5,000 over the course of 5 months, then greater of $1,166 or 1% of gross revenues/month Subsequent Years: 2% of gross revenues/year Gift Card Reimbursement Fee $45/month ROI Potential: According to the 2026 FDD, the 128 Bonchon restaurant franchises operating for the entirety of FY 2025 reported the following annual gross revenues: Restaurant Type Average Median High Low Dine-In (96) $1,595,312 $1,465,170 $4,129,765 $429,352 Fast-Casual (26) $1,043,160 $1,013,505 $2,166,573 $377,773 Delivery/Carryout (3) $939,251 $702,988 $1,403,312 $702,454 Remote Kitchen (3) $929,256 $1,074,446 $1,376,187 $337,134 3. What Franchisee Support Does Bonchon Provide? Pre-Opening Support Bonchon provides pre-opening support that helps franchisees move from site selection to opening day with a clear plan. The brand works with operators on real estate, design and construction, guiding layout and buildout to align with its standards. Franchisees also receive support with initial marketing and opening preparation to help establish a strong start in their market. Training Programs Training is structured to prepare franchisees and their teams to execute the concept consistently. The program covers core areas such as kitchen operations, food preparation, front-of-house service and overall restaurant management. This includes both classroom-style instruction and hands-on training designed to ensure franchisees understand the brand’s systems before opening.  Operational Support Ongoing operational support focuses on helping franchisees maintain consistency and performance over time. Bonchon provides continued guidance on day-to-day operations, product quality and brand standards, along with field support to help operators address challenges and improve performance as they grow their business. Technology and Tools The brand also equips franchisees with technology and tools that support operations and customer engagement. This includes systems designed to streamline ordering, manage restaurant performance and support marketing efforts, helping franchisees operate efficiently while delivering a consistent guest experience. Bonchon uses Opus Training, a mobile-first training operations platform, to maintain brand standards, drive consistency and train its diverse workforce in more than 10 languages. The brand supports strong digital business with effective online ordering platforms, kiosks and other integrations.  4. What Are the Franchisee Requirements for Bonchon? Eligibility Criteria Liquid Assets:  $500,000 Net Worth:  $1,000,000 Bonchon prefers franchisees with a background in restaurant operations or multi-unit business ownership, along with the ability to follow systems, manage teams and execute the brand’s standards consistently. Operational Commitments Bonchon expects franchisees to establish a strong management team and be actively involved in the day-to-day operation of their restaurants, with a focus on maintaining food quality, service standards and team management. The materials emphasize hands-on ownership and consistent execution of the brand’s systems, but do not clearly state that semi-absentee ownership is an option. Funding Assistance Bonchon does not offer direct or indirect financing to franchisees. 5. What Is the Market Potential for Fast-Casual Chicken Restaurants? The U.S. fast-casual and quick-service fried chicken segment continues to grow, driven by strong consumer demand for affordable, high-protein menu options and bold flavors. Chicken-focused restaurants  generate roughly $60 billion to $65 billion in annual U.S. revenue , accounting for about 10% of the total fast-food market, while the broader category has  grown at an annual rate of about 5% to 7% in recent years . Traffic is also outpacing other restaurant segments, with visits to fried chicken chains  rising more than 4% year over year , ahead of both quick-service and fast-casual averages. Looking ahead, the category is expected to maintain that momentum, with projections calling for  roughly 6% annual growth in U.S. takeout fried chicken demand through the next decade , supported by shifting consumer preferences toward value, convenience and chicken as a lower-cost alternative to beef. Competitor Analysis Bonchon’s primary competitors include Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Chick-fil-A, KFC, Raising Cane’s, Wingstop, Dave’s Hot Chicken, Jollibee, Church’s Texas Chicken and Golden Chick. Bonchon stands out by positioning itself around Korean fried chicken, a distinct subcategory within the broader fried chicken segment. Its double-fried cooking method, proprietary sauces and made-to-order preparation create a different texture and flavor profile than traditional American chains, which often focus on breading and seasoning rather than sauce-driven flavor. The brand also differentiates itself with a broader, globally inspired menu and a more polished fast-casual dining experience, allowing it to compete not just on price or convenience but on product quality, consistency and a unique culinary identity within a highly competitive category. 6. What Is the Application Process for Bonchon Franchisees? Submit Online Inquiry:  Prospective franchisees begin by  completing and submitting the online inquiry form to express interest and share basic background information. Initial Call With Bonchon: The process continues with an introductory call to discuss the candidate’s market experience, background and overall fit with the brand. Review Financials:  Prospective franchisees review the Franchise Disclosure Document and submit an application, allowing the brand to evaluate financial qualifications and readiness. In-Person Meeting:  Candidates meet with Bonchon leadership in Dallas to learn more about the brand, its culture and what it takes to operate within the system. Franchise Approval: Once approved, franchisees receive the agreement documents to execute, formally moving forward with ownership. Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? 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