Major fried chicken chain from Korea opens its first store in SA

South Africa has welcomed a major new player in the fried chicken market, with one of South Korea’s biggest restaurant chains opening its first African outlet in Johannesburg.

Genesis BBQ, which operates under the international brand name bb.q CHICKEN, has officially opened its first South African restaurant at Cresta Shopping Mall.

The opening marks the Korean franchise’s entry into both the local and wider African markets.

The company announced the news on Friday, saying the new outlet would serve its signature fried chicken alongside a selection of Korean dishes.

Genesis BBQ signed a master franchise agreement with local Korean food distributor Good Tree South Africa in November last year.

The agreement paved the way for the brand to establish restaurants locally and potentially expand through sub-franchising.

“The South Africa outlet will serve as a strategic foothold and key market for BBQ’s expansion across Africa,” said Genesis BBQ chairman Yoon Hong-geun.

“We aim to attract local customers with customized K-chicken and Korean food offerings,” he added.

Korean chicken chain plans further SA expansion

The Johannesburg opening is only the beginning of Genesis BBQ’s ambitions for the South African market.

The company said it plans to gradually open additional outlets across the country next year.

When the franchise agreement was announced last November, its initial expansion plans included quick-service restaurants in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Bloemfontein.

The company has yet to announce which locations will follow its Cresta Shopping Mall debut.

South Africans sure love their fried chicken

Yoon previously described South Africa as a strategic cornerstone for expanding into the African market and promoting K-food globally.

Genesis BBQ also cited figures from the South African Poultry Association, putting local demand into context.

According to the data, South Africans consume an average of 36 kilograms of chicken per person each year – more than double the global average of 14.6 kilograms (and surpassing even Korea’s average of 16.2 kilograms per person annually).

Over 3 200 outlets worldwide

Founded in 1995, Genesis BBQ has grown into one of South Korea’s largest fried chicken franchises.

It currently operates more than 2 400 outlets in South Korea and approximately 800 international restaurants across 57 countries.

These include the United States, Canada, Germany, Japan and Taiwan.

The company’s arrival adds another international name to South Africa’s competitive fried chicken market, while bringing its popular Korean-style chicken offerings to local consumers.