"Raising Marriage Funds"... BBQ 'Cheongnyeon Smile' Project Opens Its First Branch

Well-Equipped Gear Packed into an 8-Pyeong Space
Orders Flood In from Day One... "Thanks to Headquarters Support"

On the 2nd, in front of the first Youth Smile Project store of Genesis BBQ Group located in Banghwa-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul, Yoon Hong-geun, Chairman of BBQ (center), held an opening ceremony and took a commemorative photo with store owner Kang Tae-gu (left) and his girlfriend Kim Su-jin (right). Photo by Moon Hye-won, Asia Economy

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Hyewon] "We are working hard selling chicken to save money for our wedding. In about three years, I want to open my own store." (Kang Taegu, 29-year-old male owner of BBQ Banghwa Branch)

◆ Youth Smile Project’s First Branch is a Couple Engaged to Be Married = Genesis BBQ Group has launched the first branch of the Youth Smile Project, providing initial operating funds worth 80 million KRW. On the 1st, we visited the first Youth Smile Project branch located in Banghwa-dong, Gangseo-gu, Seoul. It is a takeout and delivery specialty store run by Mr. Kang and his fianc?e Ms. Kim together. Although the space is a small 8-pyeong (approximately 26.4 square meters), it is fully equipped with all the necessary equipment and fixtures for store operation, including a fryer, packaging counter, freezer/refrigerator, storage racks, water dispenser, and customer waiting seats.

The first branch is located at the entrance of a residential complex street, situated between Airport Market Station and Sinbanghwa Station on Subway Line 9, making it a convenient commercial area for office workers to stop by and pick up takeout after work. With densely packed apartment complexes nearby, Mr. Kang expects a high demand for delivery as well. Through the opening ceremony event that day, word spread among local residents, and delivery orders flooded the first branch from day one. Mr. Kang and Ms. Kim skillfully fried chicken and quickly packed orders, welcoming customers with practiced hands learned at the BBQ Chicken University.

◆ Marketing Support and Commitment to Settle Within 3 Months = Smiles blossomed on the faces of the Kang couple amid the flood of orders. Mr. Kang said, "It was difficult to start a business alone because it’s not easy to borrow a large sum of money from a bank at a young age. The BBQ Youth Smile Project felt like it was made just for me, so I applied immediately and was lucky to be selected. I am very grateful to the headquarters."

BBQ recruited participants from July 6 to 30, conducting AI competency tests for about 7,000 applicants and 3,500 teams. Initially, 500 teams were selected for interviews. Then, on August 13-14, a second screening was held over two days at Genesis BBQ Chicken University, selecting a final 200 teams. Mr. Kang was selected with a competitive ratio of 17:1.

Mr. Kang set a sales target of over 45 million KRW for the first month. BBQ headquarters plans to support them with various marketing efforts such as review events to help them stabilize store operations within three months.

Meanwhile, at the opening ceremony, BBQ Chairman Yoon Honggeun said, "Young people facing many difficulties due to COVID-19 will be able to become successful entrepreneurs and good role models through this project. After opening the second branch in Daejeon around the 6th, we plan to open multiple branches nationwide simultaneously." Regarding the controversial ‘Future Dream Hope Fund,’ he said, "We are coordinating while considering each owner’s situation. We have also established protective measures for young entrepreneurs, such as not providing funds to stores with monthly sales below 5 million KRW."

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