Despite economic uncertainty and the lingering effects of inflation slowing the overall restaurant industry, Korean food brands are making notable strides.
According to the 2025 Chain Restaurant Top 500 Report released by global foodservice research firm Technomic, four Korean-affiliated dining chains ranked among the top 200 U.S. restaurant chains.
Paris Baguette led the group, placing 112th with $462 million in 2024 sales across 197 stores. Analysts attribute its performance to an aggressive bakery market expansion strategy.
KPot Korean BBQ & Hot Pot followed at 127th, reporting $398 million in sales and 95 outlets, fueled by strong demand among younger, trend-savvy consumers. BBQ Chicken ranked 180th, generating $242 million in revenue across 208 units. The brand has steadily risen since debuting on the list at 376th in 2021. Genesis BBQ Group noted that the U.S. results underscore the brand’s global competitiveness and commitment to becoming a leading ambassador of K-food.
Tous Les Jours rounded out the Korean contingent at 195th, with $220 million in sales and 150 stores, further boosting the presence of Korean bakery brands in North America alongside Paris Baguette.
The report shows that total sales of the top 500 U.S. chain restaurants reached $437.1 billion in 2024, up just 3.1% year-over-year—the slowest growth rate in a decade, excluding the pandemic year of 2020. The figure also fell well below the recent five-year average of 5.6%.
Even industry giants felt the squeeze. Combined sales growth at McDonald’s, Starbucks, and Chick-fil-A, which hold the top three positions, slowed to 1.2% in 2024, a sharp decline from 11% growth in 2023. Moreover, 40% of chains in the Top 500 reported revenue declines, compared with 26% a year earlier.
Still, some brands bucked the trend through aggressive expansion. Thirty chains opened over 100 new locations in 2024 alone, led by Starbucks, Jersey Mike’s, and Wingstop. Notably, Wingstop cracked the Top 25 for the first time.
Competition intensified in chicken and coffee, while emerging players chipped away at the dominance of legacy brands. Mexican limited-service chains surged 9% in sales, surpassing the pizza sector for the first time.
BY EUNYOUNG LEE [lee.eunyoung6@koreadaily.com]
