Hanwha Kim Dong-sun's 'Pick' Five Guys Sale Rumor... "Considering Various Options"

[Financial News] Kim Dong-sun, the third son of Kim Seung-yeon, chairman of Hanwha Group, and vice president of Hanwha Galleria, who brought the American handcrafted burger brand 'Five Guys' to Korea, has been rumored to be selling it.

According to Newsis on the 17th, a Five Guys representative stated regarding the recent sale rumors, "We are considering various options with the global headquarters to enhance brand competitiveness, but no direction has been decided." This is in response to industry talks that Five Guys is pushing for a sale two years after entering the domestic market.

Five Guys is a premium burger brand that started in the United States in 1986, and in Korea, it expanded its stores starting with the Gangnam branch in June 2023 under the leadership of Vice President Kim. Currently, it operates 7 stores in areas such as Apgujeong and Gwanggyo, and plans to open its 8th store in Yongsan, Seoul on the 25th. FG Korea, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hanwha Galleria, is operating it.

Vice President Kim is said to have played a leading role in the entire process of business promotion, from the initial planning to the contract signing for the introduction of the Five Guys brand. FG Korea plans to establish a Japanese corporation and enter the Japanese market.
bng@fnnews.com Kim Hee-sun Reporter