The short answer. Korean franchise expansion is close to a record: Korean food service companies operated 5,597 stores in 77 countries as of the third quarter of 2026, according to the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation. VF Franchise Consulting, a cross-border franchise advisory firm focused on Asia Pacific and MENA, reads the data as a sign that partner selection is getting more competitive.
The Asia Business Daily reported on 3 November 2026, citing the aT report on the overseas expansion of South Korean food service companies, that the number of overseas locations is nearing an all-time high. The paper ties the push to global interest in K-food and to the popularity of K-culture. It also notes that the pace resembles the late 2010s, when a saturated domestic market and tougher competition pushed Korean brands abroad.
For operators, the practical point is that more Korean concepts are looking for international partners. Our earlier guide to Korean franchise opportunities in Southeast Asia and the Gulf covers the formats and partner profiles in more detail.
As of the third quarter of 2026, Korean food service companies operated 5,597 stores in 77 countries, according to aT data reported by the Asia Business Daily. That is 953 more stores than at the start of the year, an increase of 20.5%. The total has passed the 5,476 recorded in 2016 and is approaching the record of 6,001 set in 2017.
The number of companies is already a record. There were 217 Korean food service companies operating overseas in the third quarter, up from 203 in the second quarter, which had itself beaten the 2017 high of 193. Ninety-five companies began expanding abroad between January and September, a 77.9% increase on the previous year.
| Measure | 2017 | Q3 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Overseas stores, total | 6,001 (record) | 5,597 |
| Companies operating overseas | 193 (record) | 217 (record) |
| Largest market by stores | China, 2,942 stores (49.0%) | United States, 1,321 stores (23.6%) |
| Companies in the United States | 56 (29.0%) | 73 (33.6%) |
In 2017, China held the largest share of Korean overseas stores, at 2,942 stores, or 49.0%, with the United States second at 1,279 stores. By the third quarter of 2026, the United States was the largest market, with 73 Korean companies operating 1,321 stores there. The report names Paris Baguette, which has added about 50 US stores this year and now has around 320, and BBQ, which operates in 33 US states.
The report does not break out Southeast Asia or MENA, so no regional store count can be drawn from it. What it does show is that Korean brands now have a large and growing US pipeline competing for management attention. Operators in Asia Pacific and MENA should therefore expect franchisors to be selective about partners, and should prepare accordingly.
Several Korean food categories already feature in international rollouts: fried chicken, bakery cafés, coffee and grill dining. Each has different site and kitchen needs. Our guides cover the category detail: fried chicken franchise opportunities, bakery and patisserie formats and coffee and tea concepts. For a grill-and-dining example from VF’s directory, see the Seoul Garden Buffet smokeless table model.
VF Franchise Consulting is an advisory firm, not a broker or marketplace. In VF’s analysis, a record number of Korean brands going abroad is good news for operators with a clear plan, because there is more choice, but it raises the bar on preparation. The best-prepared candidates compare several brands, ask each for its overseas operating history and negotiate territory terms with local counsel. For a broader regional comparison, see ASEAN franchise markets compared. The data in this article comes from the Asia Business Daily report on the aT figures.
The Asia Business Daily links the surge to growing global interest in K-food and the popularity of K-culture. Korean food service companies are opening stores abroad at a pace close to the late 2010s, when domestic competition pushed brands to look overseas. Ninety-five Korean companies began operating abroad between January and September 2026, up 77.9% on the previous year.
According to the Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation (aT), as reported by the Asia Business Daily on 3 November 2026, Korean food service companies operated 5,597 stores in 77 countries as of the third quarter. That is 953 more than at the start of the year, a rise of 20.5%, and close to the 2017 record of 6,001.
Yes, for store count. As of the third quarter of 2026, 73 Korean food service companies operated 1,321 stores in the United States, representing 33.6% of the companies operating overseas and 23.6% of their overseas stores. In 2017, China held the largest share, with 2,942 stores, or 49.0% of the total.
Not in the report VF reviewed. The article focuses on the total, the United States and the shift from China, and does not give a regional breakdown for Southeast Asia or MENA. Operators should request brand-level market data directly from each franchisor before assuming a territory is a priority for that brand.
Start with the brand’s overseas track record, supply chain and ingredient sourcing, and the training and support offered to master franchisees. Then check local requirements such as halal certification and import rules. VF Franchise Consulting, a cross-border franchise advisory firm, recommends verifying each point with the brand and local counsel before signing.
Email: info@vffranchiseconsulting.com | Hotline: +84 90 306 54 58
Author: Sean T. Ngo, CEO and Co-founder of VF Franchise Consulting.
