Popeyes gives Korea a second try as it returns to the market next week

Popeyes' first returning Korean branch will open in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, on Dec. 16. [SILLA]

Popeyes is returning to the Korean market and will open its first branch in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, on Dec. 16.

Silla, a fishery and textile trading company, announced Thursday it signed a master franchise deal with Restaurant Brands International to operate the Popeyes brand in Korea.

The first branch will open near Gangnam Station, Line 2, on Dec. 16, offering the brand’s signature chicken sandwiches, Cajun fries and biscuits. Its Cajun rice, which was discontinued last time it was in Korea, will also be brought back.

Silla said it plans to open three branches by the end of this year.

Popeyes first entered the Korean market in 1994 through a master franchise deal with TS Food & System, with its subsidiary Popeyes Korea running the brand. The fast food chain had as many as 200 branches in 2004, but the number soon peaked and started its descent due to rivals such as Mom’s Touch and KFC entering the market.

TS Food & System looked for a company that was willing to buy Popeyes Korea in 2018, but failed. It stopped operating the brand and shut down its remaining 10 branches in 2020 when the master franchise agreement expired.

“Chicken is one of the biggest growing categories of food in Korea’s quick service restaurant market,” said a spokesperson for Silla. “We are looking forward to offering Popeyes to customers who have been missing the brand.”

BY LEE TAE-HEE [lee.taehee2@joongang.co.kr]