Lotteria Begins Construction on First North American Store in Fullerton

Lotteria, the well-known Korean burger chain, has started construction on its first North American location inside the Harbor–Orangethorpe Shopping Center in Fullerton, California.

The new store is being built at the former KFC site at 150 W Orangethorpe Ave, Fullerton, located near the intersection of Harbor Boulevard and Orangethorpe Avenue. A banner on the construction site’s external fence reads, “Korea’s best burger, Lotteria, opening soon,” and the site shows clear signs of ongoing construction. The company has not yet announced an official opening date.

Lotte GRS, which operates the Lotteria brand, began exploring its North American expansion plans in 2023. It established LOTTE GRS. USA in January 2023 and registered LOTTERIA USA in February 2023 to oversee operations in California.

In May 2024, the company participated in the National Restaurant Association Show (NRA Show) in Chicago, an annual trade event attended by major domestic and international restaurant chains. During the event, Lotte GRS introduced menu items such as the Bulgogi Burger and Jeonju Bibim Rice Burger, using the platform to showcase its brand and promote its U.S. expansion plans.

The company stated that its participation in the NRA Show was a strategic move to build momentum ahead of the Fullerton store’s launch.

BY WONHEE CHO [cho.wonhee@koreadaily.com]