Does Bonchon International still offer licenses for the use of Bonchon proprietary sauces in the United States?
Bonchon Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Bonchon International began offering licenses for the use of Bonchon proprietary sauces in the United States and abroad in April 2007 and was the supplier of certain products and services to those sauce licensees. Bonchon International no longer offers licenses for the use of Bonchon proprietary sauces in the United States. Bonchon International enters into franchise and licensing arrangements for Bonchon Restaurants in foreign countries. As of December 31, 2024, it had granted 153 franchises in the Philippines, 122 franchises in Thailand, 11 franchises in Cambodia, 2 franchises in Singapore, 7 franchises in Myanmar, 24 franchises in Vietnam, 2 franchises in France, 3 franchises in Taiwan and 2 franchises in Laos. In addition to granting franchises in the foregoing countries. Bonchon International granted a master license in December 2023 for the development of 15 franchises in Taiwan and 20 franchises in Laos that are scheduled to be developed within the next five (5) years.
Source: Item 1 — THE FRANCHISOR, AND ANY PARENTS, PREDECESSORS AND AFFILIATES (FDD pages 8–10)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Bonchon's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Bonchon International no longer offers licenses for the use of Bonchon proprietary sauces in the United States. However, Bonchon International does enter into franchise and licensing arrangements for Bonchon Restaurants in foreign countries. As of December 31, 2024, it had granted numerous franchises in countries such as the Philippines, Thailand, Cambodia, Singapore, Myanmar, Vietnam, France, Taiwan and Laos.
Bonchon International granted a master license in December 2023 for the development of 15 franchises in Taiwan and 20 franchises in Laos, which are scheduled to be developed within the next five years. This indicates a strategic focus on international expansion through traditional franchising and master license agreements, while the sauce licensing model in the United States has been discontinued.
For prospective franchisees in the United States, this means that the opportunity to license Bonchon's proprietary sauces independently is not available. Instead, individuals interested in operating a Bonchon business in the U.S. must pursue a traditional franchise agreement. This agreement would include the use of Bonchon's sauces as part of the overall restaurant operation, rather than as a standalone licensing opportunity. This also means that the signature product offerings at Bonchon Restaurants are Korean style fried chicken wings and drumettes that are dipped into a batter, twice-fried and thinly coated with intensely flavored proprietary sauces.