1851

<a href="https://www.takorean.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-takorean-brings-a-unique-fusion-concept-to-the-build-your-own-bowl-market-2719041" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">TaKorean</a>, the Korean and Latin-American fusion restaurant, has disrupted the ‘build your own’ landscape, offering both bowls and tacos, fully customizable with a level of freshness and bold flavors not available in other concepts.“I was inspired by Kogi BBQ in LA, a hot food truck concept that Chef Roy Choi opened in the 2000s. I've eaten out there, and it's really delicious, His food and what he was doing is what inspired me to create Takorean,” explained&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-lenard-759a9050/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-takorean-brings-a-unique-fusion-concept-to-the-build-your-own-bowl-market-2719041" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Mike Lenard</a>, the founder of TaKorean.&nbsp;In a world of restaurants like CAVA, Sweetgreen and Chipotle, many diners are looking for other unique and delicious flavors in the ‘build your own’ model, and TaKorean fills this void with colorful, nourishing, made-fresh options.With both taco and bowl options, guests can customize a meal with fresh slaws, including kimchi, romaine slaw and spiced kale, Korean-inspired proteins like chicken (dak galbi), steak (bulgogi), tofu (hoisin) and more, as well as a variety of add ons and toppings.“Even though our flavors are probably not very familiar to some people, you can get behind them pretty quickly,” added&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukas-umana-a89764169/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-takorean-brings-a-unique-fusion-concept-to-the-build-your-own-bowl-market-2719041" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Lukas Umana</a>, president and COO of TaKorean.&nbsp;While TaKorean continues to embrace Korean foods and flavors, they are incorporated in a way that does not feel intimidating to those who have never eaten more traditional Korean foods.“TaKorean is one of the few fusion concepts that actually tastes good and is consistent, and it’s one of the few options that is Korean-esque without being 100% Korean, and it hits really hard in terms of food preferences,” explained&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-lenard-b93a3842/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-takorean-brings-a-unique-fusion-concept-to-the-build-your-own-bowl-market-2719041" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Eric Lenard</a>, TaKorean’s director of Development.In a time when the demand for Asian and Mexican foods is high, and the interest in cultural fusion options is growing among younger crowds, TaKorean provides a culmination of all of these options that is hard to find anywhere else. According to Statista, Mexican and Asian cuisine are the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.statista.com/topics/2313/ethnic-foods-statistics-and-facts/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-takorean-brings-a-unique-fusion-concept-to-the-build-your-own-bowl-market-2719041#topicHeader__wrapper" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">first and second most popular ethnic food categories in the country</a>, respectively.&nbsp;Further, younger demographics of diners have&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/gen-z-millennials-value-cultural-fusion-cuisine-peter-yang?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-takorean-brings-a-unique-fusion-concept-to-the-build-your-own-bowl-market-2719041" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">expressed interest in expanding their experiences with cultural flavors</a>. Convenient, innovative fusion cuisine like TaKorean delivers a cross-cultural experience that many consumers seek in a way that remains accessible to many.The ‘build your own’ model provides an additional perk for both consumers and TaKorean owners. The demand for customization is high, and providing these options in the context of bowls and tacos allows for an assembly process that does not overcomplicate substitutions or exceptions. The bowl model, specifically, also creates a less intimidating way to try new flavors as guests can mix all parts of their bowl or try various combinations of the ingredients they have chosen.“The rise of bowls is driven by operators offering ethnic food in fairly authentic ways, even if it is somewhat Americanized,” Maeve Webster, president of Menu Matters, told&nbsp;<a href="https://www.qsrmagazine.com/menu-innovations/going-bowling?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=how-takorean-brings-a-unique-fusion-concept-to-the-build-your-own-bowl-market-2719041" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">QSR</a>. “There’s an interest in street food, with a lot of different ingredients and textures, and for us, bowls are easier to handle."For franchisees, TaKorean’s model provides a unique restaurant option without overly complicated ingredients and preparation practices, specialized training or increased overhead costs. The brand’s leadership is not made up of classically trained chefs, so all of the processes have been developed in a way that is accessible and will make sense to owners who are motivated to succeed, regardless of if they have absolutely no culinary experience whatsoever.“Our operational simplicity and availability to open second-generation stores make TaKorean a great fit for all operators and owners looking to add a great franchise to their portfolio,” Umana explained. “We believe so deeply in our systems and company culture that we are confident we can train any and all franchisees and their teams to run highly successful and profitable businesses that our communities will be proud of.”&nbsp;Further, while many Asian food concepts require additional team training to master the ingredients, techniques and tools necessary to produce a given menu item, Mike developed the restaurant in a way that leverages Korean flavors while maintaining a level of simplicity that translates to employees and first-time diners.&nbsp;Though Eric does have extensive culinary experience, the other members of the core leadership did not before TaKorean was launched in 2010. This creates an environment perfect for owners interested in developing a restaurant business, even if they have little to no experience or formal culinary training.Mike explained that TaKorean is built on a culture of respect for each team member, an emphasis on customer experience, and a passion for quality food. Rather than seeking franchisees with extensive experience in franchising or restaurants specifically, TaKorean looks to owners interested in partnering with the brand to truly develop it and expand the reach, bringing the unique dining experience to more customers nationwide.“It can be really hard to do great quality Asian concepts without getting really deep into specialized equipment and training,” Eric said. With freshly prepared menu items, TaKorean provides a light, nourishing option that, though made with efficient processes, does not sacrifice taste or quality. With fresh bright flavors, a simple and consistent system and a light, nourishing menu, TaKorean has found that balance.

How TaKorean Brings a Unique Fusion Concept to the 'Build Your Own Bowl' Market

1851 Franchise

The Korean taco grill restaurant brings a Latin American twist to its fresh, bold and colorful ‘build your own’ meals, offering an experience like no other for guests and franchisees alike.

This brand page has been paid for by 1851. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

how-takorean-brings-a-unique-fusion-concept-to-the-build-your-own-bowl-market

Comfort Keepers

Comfort Keepers - Butch and Niki Irwin - Father's Day - 1851 Franchise

A Legacy of Care: How a Father and Daughter Team Elevate Senior Living Across Michigan and Ohio

comfort-keepers-monroe-butch-niki-irwin

Minuteman Press International

Minuteman Press Franchise Owner Corey Sanders at his center in Greenville, SC.

Minuteman Press Franchise Review: From Business Consulting to Printing

minuteman-press-franchise-review-from-business-consulting-to-printing

HomeTeam Inspection Service

Sell Smarter: How Pre-Listing Inspections Give Home Sellers an Edge

pre-listing-inspections-seller-advantage

BoConcept

BoConcept Shares Tips for Homeowners Who Want to Refresh Their Living Rooms

boconcept-shares-tips-for-homeowners-who-want-to-refresh-their-living-rooms

BoConcept’s Carmen Henriquez Shares Tips for Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Design

boconcepts-carmen-henriquez-shares-tips-for-seamless-indoor-outdoor-design

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Homebuyers Keep Buying — And That’s Good News for Home Service Franchises - 1851 Franchise

Homebuyers Keep Buying — And That’s Good News for Home Service Franchises

homebuyers-keep-buying-and-thats-good-news-for-home-service-franchises

AI Could Push Unemployment to 20% — Fueling a Surge in First-Time Franchise Buyers - 1851 Franchise

AI Could Push Unemployment to 20% — Fueling a Surge in First-Time Franchise Buyers

ai-unemployment-impact-white-collar-job-loss

How To Sell Just One Franchise: What You’ll Learn at FranCamp NJ 2025

how-to-sell-just-one-franchise-what-youll-learn-at-francamp-nj-2025

House Passes Tax Relief Package With Key Benefits for Small Businesses and Franchises

house-passes-small-business-tax-relief-bill-2025

McDonald’s To Hire 375,000 Workers as It Prepares for Major U.S. Expansion

mcdonalds-to-hire-375000-workers-as-it-prepares-for-major-us-expansion

How Car Sales Taught Buddy's Home Furnishings’ Mitchell Lee the Secrets of Franchise Development

how-car-sales-taught-buddys-home-furnishings-mitchell-lee-the-secrets-of-franchise-development

busy-bee-jumpers-consumer-positioning-image-kids-jumping-bounce-house

Delivering Fun With a Smile: How Busy Bee Jumpers Earns 5-Star Raves From Families Across New England

busy-bee-jumpers-party-rentals

From Brows to Business: How Two Sisters Are Building M Browz, a Global PMU Franchise With Heart

from-brows-to-business-how-two-sisters-are-building-m-browz-a-global-pmu-franchise-with-heart

busy-bee-jumpers-franchise-positioning-image

Bouncing Into Business: How Busy Bee Jumpers Is Building the First National Bounce House Franchise

franchise-opportunity-busy-bee-jumpers-franchise

The Ultimate Guide to Selling Franchises: How To Create a Strong Incentive

how-to-build-strong-incentives-to-attract-prospective-franchisees

The Top 20 Handyman Franchises To Invest in for 2025

top-handyman-franchises-to-invest-in

The Top 20 Cleaning Franchises to Invest in for 2025

top-cleaning-franchises-to-invest-in

franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Melissa & Matt Johnson and Pigtails & Crewcuts logo

Building a Family-Friendly Business: How Melissa and Matt Johnson Grew Pigtails & Crewcuts in San Antonio

how-melissa-and-matt-johnson-grew-pigtails-crewcuts-in-san-antonio

Sola Salons Franchisee Grows Salon Freedom Into a Multi-State Powerhouse 

sola-salons-franchisee-grows-salon-freedom-into-a-multi-state-powerhouse

How TaKorean Brings a Unique Fusion Concept to the 'Build Your Own Bowl' Market

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS