BBQ Enters South Carolina, Accelerating Expansion in the Southeastern U.S.

Expansion into the 33rd State in the U.S.
South Carolina Ranks Fifth Nationwide in Franchise Industry Growth

BBQ has opened a new store in South Carolina, marking its entry into the 33rd state out of 50 in the United States.

Genesis BBQ Group announced on the 5th that it has recently launched the "BBQ Indian Land" and "BBQ Greenville" locations in Indian Land and Greenville, South Carolina, respectively.

With this expansion, BBQ has extended its presence to South Carolina, following its existing major bases in the Southeast, such as Florida, Alabama, and Georgia.

South Carolina is a state in the southeastern United States where both the population and consumer market are rapidly growing. As of 2024, the population is approximately 5.47 million, an increase of more than 90,000 from the previous year, ranking among the top ten states for net population inflow nationwide. The average age is around 40, indicating a high proportion of young consumers, and as of 2023, the median household income is in the mid-$60,000 range, reflecting stable purchasing power.

According to the "2025 Franchise Industry Outlook" released by the International Franchise Association (IFA), South Carolina is expected to record the fifth-highest industry growth rate nationwide. The report projects that in 2025, approximately 1,205 new franchise stores will be established in the state, generating about 215,000 jobs and contributing $19.5 billion to the economy. BBQ has identified this growth potential and designated South Carolina as a strategic hub for its expansion in the southeastern United States.

The "BBQ Indian Land" store is a cafe-style location with an area of about 39.66 square meters (approximately 12 pyeong) and 12 seats. It is situated on the border between South Carolina and North Carolina, making it ideally positioned to attract consumers from both states. Nearby, the Carolina Golf Club and residential complexes are clustered, allowing the store to cater to both golf visitors and local foot traffic. The menu features BBQ’s signature items such as "Golden Original," "Secret Sauce Chicken," and "Honey Garlic," as well as a variety of Korean dishes including "Chizzling Fries" and "Kimchi Fried Rice."

The "BBQ Greenville" store focuses on delivery and takeout, and is located in a commercial area with a high concentration of restaurants and supermarkets. With Greenville Downtown Airport and Bob Jones University nearby, a strong customer influx is expected. In addition to chicken dishes, the menu includes K-food items such as "Chicken Fried Rice" and "Rose Tteokbokki."

BBQ has expanded its stores into key commercial districts in major states, starting with 32nd Street in Manhattan, New York, and continuing into New Jersey, Texas, and California. Last year, BBQ entered four new states-Tennessee, Nebraska, Arkansas, and Indiana-maintaining its growth trajectory. This year, the company has further expanded into Utah (its 31st state), Oregon (32nd), and now South Carolina (33rd).

A BBQ representative stated, "South Carolina is a region with a clear growth trend in the franchise industry and serves as a strategic stronghold for our expansion in the southeastern United States. With this entry, we aim to accelerate our nationwide expansion and further solidify the global brand status of 'K-Chicken.'"

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