"Conquering the World with K-Chicken" ... The Challenger Spirit of bb.q Chicken Chairman Yoon Hong-geun

[Financial News] The management philosophy of "challenge and execution" that Genesis BBQ Group Chairman Yoon Hong-geun has upheld for the past 31 years has become the foundation of bb.q Chicken's global growth.
Starting as a domestic chicken franchise and growing into a brand with more than 800 stores in 57 countries, the company has consistently chosen new markets and business models during crises while continuing to invest in training and quality.
According to the industry on the 29th, the management principles Yoon has repeatedly emphasized in lectures for university audiences, academic groups and business leaders are: "Act immediately, do it without fail, and keep going until it works." The idea is to move beyond thinking and put plans into action, then continue until they produce results.
That philosophy is also reflected in bb.q Chicken's growth. When Yoon founded the company in 1995, he believed the chicken market, then centered on pubs and small shops, could be developed into a systematic brand industry. He moved to standardize hygiene and quality and built a franchise system that could deliver consistent taste and service anywhere in the country.
Since its founding, the company has faced a series of crises surrounding the food service industry, including the Asian financial crisis, avian influenza, the global financial crisis and COVID-19. Rather than simply defending its existing business, bb.q Chicken chose a strategy of seeking new growth opportunities.
During the 1997 Asian financial crisis, it expanded its franchise business to target office workers looking for new livelihoods, surpassing 100 stores in its first year, 500 in its second and 1,000 in its fourth. In 2005, it strengthened its product competitiveness by introducing Golden Olive Chicken, which incorporated olive oil into chicken cooking.
Along with business expansion, Yoon has consistently emphasized one thing: "investment in people."
In 1999, bb.q Chicken established Chicken University based on Yoon's belief that "franchising is education." The company systematized training in store operations, cooking and service, and linked it with research and development to build a system that could maintain consistent brand quality.
As the franchise business grows, it becomes increasingly important to provide the same products and services at every store. Overseas, food culture and consumer environments also differ by country, making education and operating systems even more critical.
From the beginning, Yoon has pushed the business beyond the domestic market and toward a global franchise.
bb.q Chicken entered overseas markets in 2003, starting with China, and expanded into the United States, the world's largest food service market, in 2006. It now operates more than 800 overseas stores in 57 countries.
This year, it also opened its first stores in five countries: Honduras, Colombia, Kazakhstan, India and Mexico. In Thailand and Brunei Darussalam, it signed new master franchise agreements.
A bb.q Chicken official said, "The challenge, execution and investment in people that Chairman Yoon has emphasized since the company's founding have remained the core management philosophy throughout bb.q Chicken's growth. Going forward, we plan to continue growing into a sustainable global franchise in the world market, based on education and quality competitiveness."
[email protected] Kim Seo-yeon Reporter