BHC Marks First Anniversary of Its Canada Store ”Moving Beyond Local Integration to Full-Scale Franchise Expansion”

– A commemorative event was held on December 11 at the Toronto “The Well” store, bringing together partners and media for networking
– With over 110,000 cumulative visitors in its first year, the successful flagship is now paving the way for accelerated expansion across North America.
– We have proven the global standard for K-chicken, and we will continue expanding the brand in partnership with our local collaborators,” said CEO Ho-sup Song

Dining Brands Group’s chicken brand BHC marked the first anniversary of its debut in Canada on December 11 (local time), hosting a commemorative event at its first store located in “The Well,” a major complex mall in downtown Toronto, and announcing plans for a full-scale expansion of its franchise business across the North American market.

The event was organized to celebrate the brand’s successful establishment in the Canadian market over the past year and to share future expansion strategies with local partners and stakeholders who have recognized its growth potential. More than 80 attendees—including Hwa-yeon Nam, Executive Director of Dining Brands Group’s Global Business Division, local franchise partners, representatives from The Well, as well as local media and influencers—were present, adding significance to the occasion.

On this occasion, BHC highlighted the first-year performance of its flagship store in Canada, underscoring the brand’s competitiveness in the North American market. Since opening in October last year, the Toronto location has attracted more than 110,000 visitors in its first year, establishing itself as a local “K-food hotspot.” Signature items such as Bburinkle and Matcho King accounted for 37% of total sales, while localized menu offerings tailored to Canadian tastes have also gained strong traction. Industry observers note that these results demonstrate the viability of BHC’s vision to position Korean-style fried chicken as a global standard—even in the North American market.

Building on the operational experience and data gathered from its first Canadian location, BHC outlined its franchise expansion strategy for the North American market and signaled concrete next steps, including upcoming franchise information sessions. The company also emphasized that its focus is not merely on increasing store count, but on establishing long-term partnerships grounded in proven profitability and a structured, fully supported headquarters system.

“Our first Canadian location has served as a symbolic foothold, proving BHC’s brand strength in the highly competitive North American dining market over the past year,” said Hwa-yeon Nam, Executive Director of Dining Brands Group’s Global Business Division. “Building on our successful market entry, we are now moving into a full-scale franchise expansion phase and will work to bring the taste and culture of K-chicken to consumers across Canada,” she added.

BHC currently operates 39 stores across seven countries, including Hong Kong, Malaysia, the United States, and Canada. Leveraging its signature menu offerings— Bburinkle—and a rigorous localization strategy, the brand continues to show steady growth in global markets. Following this event, BHC plans to intensify its North American expansion by launching dedicated information sessions for prospective local franchise partners.

[Attachment 1] BHC – First Anniversary Celebration of Its Canada Flagship Store Opening