bhc Accelerates Business Diversification by Brand... Leap Toward Becoming a Comprehensive Food Service Company

Bigmam Halmae Sundaeguk Launches Convenient Meals and Warehouse43 High-Quality Lunchboxes
Own Brand Jokbal Sanghoe Opens... Expanding Business Areas Beyond bhc Chicken to Sustain Growth

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Seon-ae] bhc, which operates brands including bhc Chicken, Keunmam Halmae Sundaeguk, and Changgo43, is focusing on expanding its scope by establishing new growth engines that highlight the unique characteristics of each brand.

According to bhc on the 24th, the flagship brand bhc Chicken achieved over 300 billion KRW in headquarters sales last year, with franchise stores’ average annual sales increasing by 40% compared to the previous year, achieving mutual growth for both headquarters and franchisees. Furthermore, in the first half of this year, the average monthly sales of franchise stores consistently maintained a double-digit growth rate without being limited to specific periods, and in the third quarter, franchise stores showed a growth trend with a 35% increase in average monthly sales as well as recording their highest sales.

bhc cites the success of bhc Chicken to the fact that franchise stores operate according to the headquarters’ manuals while the franchising headquarters focuses on new menu development, faithfully fulfilling the inherent roles and responsibilities (R&R) of both franchisees and the franchising headquarters. Accordingly, by consolidating the headquarters’ core competencies and know-how, bhc plans to accelerate business diversification and sales growth by empowering other brands, including Keunmam Halmae Sundaeguk.

Keunmam Halmae Sundaeguk, a leading domestic sundae soup franchise, focused on convenient meals and launched 11 popular types of ‘Keunmam Dosirak’ (lunch boxes) last October. Keunmam Dosirak packages popular menu items such as sundae soup and beef rice soup from Keunmam Halmae Sundaeguk into one set, allowing customers to experience the brand’s pursuit of a “well-prepared, warm meal” with the same taste as in-store. It can be enjoyed comfortably anywhere and anytime through delivery and takeout services, gaining wide support from solo diners, office workers, and other customer groups since its launch.

Changgo43, a Korean beef specialty restaurant, emphasized differentiated quality and launched a premium lunch box in September. This premium lunch box features marinated beef ribs as the main dish, reflecting the characteristics of the Changgo43 brand. It maintains verified quality while enhancing freshness by cooking after ordering, receiving positive responses from customers.

bhc also launched its own brand this summer. In August, it opened the first Jokbal Sanghoe store in Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, marking its first step into the jokbal (pig’s trotters) market. To ensure successful market entry, bhc conducted consumer research and market testing for about a year, dedicating effort to prototype development. As a result, Jokbal Sanghoe, which opened in the second half of this year, has established itself as a trendy jokbal restaurant with new-concept jokbal such as ‘Bburinkle Jokbal’?which incorporates bhc Chicken’s popular Bburinkle seasoning?and customized services targeting office workers and the 20s-30s age group.

A bhc official stated, “Since 2015, bhc has expanded investment to strengthen research and development by introducing the latest research equipment and expanding research lab space, while also increasing research personnel to establish a solid and systematic R&D system. Leveraging our history of continuously launching hit products in the chicken industry through analyzing dining industry trends and consumer preferences, we will expand business areas beyond bhc Chicken and continue sales growth next year to become a comprehensive dining company.”

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