Deal graveyard: S.Korean F&B franchise sales left without takers

Burger King, KFC and Pizza Nara are among the brands left in limbo amid weak spending and tighter rules

Pizza Nara Chicken Gongju chain
Pizza Nara Chicken Gongju chain
Da Eun Choi 3
2025-07-15 20:34:27 max@hankyung.com
Mergers & Acquisitions

Korean food is making waves globally, but back home, the story is different for food and beverage franchise operators. Franchisors in South Korea are facing tepid consumer demand and investor apathy, weighed down by sluggish domestic spending and tightening regulations.

Jollibee to buy chicken chain Norang Tongdak amid global K-food frenzy

Jollibee to buy chicken chain Norang Tongdak amid global K-food frenzy

Norang Tongdak's spicy fried chicken made with traditional Korean chilli peppers Jollibee Foods Corp., a household name in Southeast Asia’s food market, has been named the preferred buyer of Norang Tongdak, a South Korean fried chicken brand, in a deal estimated at 140 billion won ($100 m

KFC’s Korean operations up for sale

KFC’s Korean operations up for sale

Orchestra Private Equity has begun the process of divesting the South Korean operations of fast-food chain KFC, which has seen earnings growth since its acquisition in 2023, according to investment banking sources on Tuesday.The Seoul-based private equity firm is expected to ask for around 400

Loss-making Pizza Hut Korea files for rehabilitation

Loss-making Pizza Hut Korea files for rehabilitation

Pizza Hut franchise in Seoul  Money-losing Pizza Hut Korea Ltd., the Korean master franchisee of the giant US pizza franchisor, has filed for corporate rehabilitation in Seoul in a bid to avoid a cash crunch after it was slapped with a court order to compensate its local franchisees over 2

India's love for Korean pizza spurs Gopizza’s global business

India's love for Korean pizza spurs Gopizza’s global business

Gopizza’s 50th Indian outlet in Koramangala, Bengaluru (Courtesy of Gopizza) South Korea’s Gopizza Inc. opened its 50th branch in India, the world’s most populous country, as the food tech startup aims to attract more global customers with its personal-sized pizzas baked with

Affinity refinances $130 mn debt as Burger King sale delayed

Affinity refinances $130 mn debt as Burger King sale delayed

Affinity Equity Partners has refinanced 170 billion won ($130 million) in debt borrowed to acquire Burger King’s operations in South Korea and Japan, according to investment banking sources on Friday.The refinancing is expected to give the Hong Kong-based investment firm more time to exi

Burger King's Korea, Japan operations up for sale

Burger King's Korea, Japan operations up for sale

(Courtesy of Burger King) Affinity Equity Partners is putting Burger King's operations in South Korea and Japan up for sale, after the US hamburger franchise overtook its bigger rival McDonald's in Korea by the number of outlets for the first time.The Hong Kong-based private equity firm is now

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