From Monthly Rent Support to Payment Extensions for Goods... Franchises Stepping Up to Support COVID-19 Victims

COVID-19 Cases Exceed 1,200, Franchise Damage Increases
Lotte GRS "Extension of Payment for Goods"
Myeongnyun Jinsagalbi "Supports One Month Rent of 2.3 Billion Won"

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Saeng-hye] Domestic dining franchise companies have rolled up their sleeves to prepare measures for franchisee self-employed business owners who are suffering damage due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

On the 27th, Lotte GRS announced that starting from the 25th, it has decided to extend the payment deadline for goods to franchise stores of Lotteria and Angel-in-us in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions, considering the sales damage. There are 127 Lotteria franchise stores and 70 Angel-in-us stores in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk areas.

Myeongryun Jinsagalbi decided on the 25th to fully support one month's rent amounting to a total of 2.3 billion KRW for 522 franchise stores nationwide. The support amount per franchise ranges from a minimum of 3 million KRW to a maximum of 16.9 million KRW. Myeongryun Jinsagalbi also plans to provide additional support to franchise stores until sales at all stores return to normal. At the headquarters level, nationwide franchise stores will be disinfected free of charge, and store cleaning will also be supported.

Mom's Touch decided on the 24th to implement phased support measures targeting 1,243 franchise stores nationwide (as of December). Franchise stores identified as visited by confirmed COVID-19 patients are classified as 'confirmed' cases, and voluntary closures and additional disinfection are carried out. As a gesture of consolation for sales damage, a small amount of encouragement money and payment for goods are provided.

Franchise stores operating in areas designated as 'special infectious disease control zones' by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency are classified as 'severe' stage. Currently, the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions are the target areas for severe stage support, with about 30% of Mom's Touch stores concentrated in these regions. They receive a certain amount of goods payment support. The majority of franchise stores are classified as 'caution' stage, and the headquarters supports hygiene-related preventive inspections.

Genesis BBQ decided from the 25th to supplement the spray-type disinfection method with the 'ULV mist coating sterilization method,' which sprays disinfectant in ultrafine particles. A special budget of about 150 million KRW has been allocated to support disinfection. bhc Chicken urgently provided masks and hand sanitizers to franchise stores in Daegu and adjacent areas. Goobne Chicken strengthened its existing QSC (Quality, Service, Hygiene) manual and distributed preventive action guidelines issued by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency to stores. McDonald's checks employees' temperatures daily before work and provides masks.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.