press kit
AboutBonchon
Based in the heart of New York City,
Bonchon is a franchise specialized
in Korean-style fried chicken and a
variety of savory Asian fusion dishes.
Bonchon has traveled far and wide from
Busan, South Korea, to become the
internationally loved brand it is today.
After the success of Bonchon in South
Korea in 2002, founder Jinduk Seh
traveled overseas in 2006 to open our
first U.S. location in Leonia, New Jersey.
Not long after that, Bonchon entered
the New York City and opened its
headquarter restaraunt in the heart
of Manhattan.
Bonchon’s unique and delicious fried
chicken quickly attracted a dedicated
following. Word-of-mouth alone helped
Bonchon expand throughout America
in areas such as Massachusetts, Virginia,
California, and Ohio.
Bonchon has risen to fame, due
to the popularity of it’s one of a
kind fried chicken. Bonchon has
become a household name in the
Philippines,Thailand, Indonesia and
China, and is now looking to expand
all over the globe.
“
In South Korea, Seh
perfected the
technique used for
Bonchon chicken.
In this method, much of
the fat under the skin
is rendered out during
the frying process,
making it paper-thin and
lean, but extra crispy
and juicy.
”
Bonchon prides itself in the
fact that all chicken is made
to order, using the highest
quality ingredients. In addition
to chicken wings, drumsticks
and strips. Bonchon also offers a
selection of Asian fusion cuisine.
Apart from the excellent food.
“
In addItIon to chIcKen wIngS,
drumStIcKS and StrIpS. Bonchon
alSo offerS a Savory SelectIon
of aSIan fuSIon cuISIne.
”
Bonchon offers a variety of
dining experiences for you to
enjoy. The traditional sit-down
restaurant provides a friendly,
casual dining experience
perfect for gatheing with
family or friends. Our sports bar
restaurants offer a full bar and
televisions for broadcasting
games. For the ultimate
convenience, most restaurants
also offer take-out and
delivery services.
Factsheet
Founded
2002
U.S. Headquarters
New York City
Global Headquarters
Busan, South Korea
Website
www.Bonchon.com
Fun
facts
“Bonchon”
means
“My hometown”
in Korean
About
Bonchon is a casual
neighborhood restaurant
that specializes in
Korean style fried chicken.
Slogan
A delicious, new and
exciting kind of chicken.
First restaurant
Busan, South Korea
First U.S. restaurant
The first Bonchon opened
in Leonia, New Jersey 2006
Leadership
Jinduk Seh,
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Hong Tae Kim,
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER,
UNITED STATES
150+Total restaurants
As of April 18, 2015 there are
more than 150 locations in 13
countries, with 30 of them
in the United States. These
include both corporate and
franchise owned locations.
In the News
“Bonchon does Korean fried
chicken that’s amazing,...”
- Anthony Bourdain, 2015
One of “40 Dishes Every
Restaurant Must Try in 2014”
“At the new
Bonchon, join the
lines,” 2011
“Best chicken
wings in the
country,” 2012
“Koreans Share Their
Secret for Chicken with
a Crunch,” 2007
“Forget Buffalo
Wings, Who’s in the
Mood for Bonchon?”
Midtown Lunch
“The Best Buffalo Hot
Wings in America:
A Critical View,” 2009
Golden Grub
Award, 2012
Nymag.com, 2012
“BonChon answers
‘crazy demand’ for Korean
chicken,” 2011
“Critics’ Picks: Best
Restaurants,” 2009
Boston Phoenix, 2011
Serious Eats, 2010
BostonEater.com, 2012
Listed Under:
“Best Chicken Wings
In NYC”, 2015
CRAVED Restaurant Award,
Best Game Day Food, 2011
Cheap Eats 2015
Jinduk Seh,
President & CEO
Jinduk Seh began his
impressive career in the
restaurant industry over 20
years ago. He started out
managing a Korean Oxtail
Soup restaurant where he
developed an appreciation
for satisfying his customers
with good service and high
quality ingredients.
This led him to create
Bonchon, a global
fried chicken
phenomenon with
over 140 locations
spanning across
six countries.
Mr. Seh is passionate about
food, and especially the
unique fried chicken from
his home country of South
Korea. When perfecting his
recipe for fried chicken, he
wanted to pay homage to
his beginnings through
Bonchon, which means
“My hometown” in Korean.
He started by refining the
double frying method that
makes Bonchon chicken
extra crispy on the outside
and moist on the inside.
But still, Mr. Seh knew his
chicken was missing a secret
weapon, one that would set
Bonchon apart from its
competitors. He set out on
two years of intense research,
seeking sauces to embody
the rich distinctive tastes
that represented Korea’s
unique palate. He found that
soy and garlic encompassed
the savory flavor of Korean
cooking while spicy chilies
brought the fiery Korean kick.
The result was Bonchon’s
original soy garlic and spicy
sauce, which to this day is
made in Korea and shipped
worldwide.
The success of Bonchon
in his home country gave
Mr. Seh the confidence to
expand his business. He set
his sights overseas, opening
locations in Singapore,
Thailand, Indonesia and the
Philippines. The first location
in the United States opened in
Leonia, New Jersey in 2006.
Customers waited in line for
two hours and media outlets
like CNN and The New York
Times welcomed the arrival
of Korean fried chicken to
American shores. This was
soon followed by locations in
New York City and 23 others
throughout the country.
Today, Bonchon is dedicated
to serving up delicious
made-to-order chicken
with the signature sauces.
The popularity of Bonchon
has little to do with the
Korean pop culture wave,
but everything to do with the
delicious product, which has
a devoted following in every
restaurant’s community.
As President and CEO, Mr.
Seh overseas all Bonchon
locations and is looking
forward to expanding his
brand even more.
Info
Nadia Adam
[email protected]
(212) 273-1111 x13
Bonchon Franchise LLC
213w 35th St. Suite 401 - New York, NY 10001
T: 1-212-273-1111