K-food wave is no longer limited to instant noodles and pop culture; it’s now landing, quite literally, on Indian plates as global fried chicken chain bb.q Chicken (best of the best quality) Chicken makes its India debut.
Genesis bb.q group’s flagship brand will open its first two outlets in Bengaluru in June, marking its entry into what it calls one of its most critical growth markets.
The rollout will quickly expand, with a Hyderabad outlet planned in July, followed by stores in Chennai, Kochi, Vizag, and Vellore, taking the total to 7–8 outlets by the end of 2026.
The brand has partnered SrikG Group as its master franchisee for India, signalling a structured, long-term play rather than a limited-market test.
Globally, bb.q Chicken operates over 2,300 stores in South Korea and nearly 1,000 overseas, with the US emerging as its largest international market. The company is also entering Europe this year, underscoring its aggressive global expansion strategy.
India, however, is central to its next phase. The company plans to scale to around 30 stores by 2027 and 150 outlets by 2031, with a near-term focus on South India before expanding north. Over the next four years alone, it is targeting more than 60 outlets across southern markets.
Honggeun Yoon, Chairman of Genesis BBQ Group, said India is among the company’s most critical markets globally. “If there are three strongest countries in the world, it would be the US, China, and India,” he said, citing the country’s large, young population as a key growth driver.
Duhyeon Yun (Chris), Global CEO, said India could contribute 15–20% of the group’s global business within five years, driven by a young, digitally savvy consumer base and growing exposure to global food trends.
The timing of the entry is notable. Korean cuisine is rapidly gaining traction in India, moving beyond niche appeal. FMCG majors such as Nestlé, HUL, and ITC have launched Korean-inspired products, while QSR players like KFC have introduced Korean-flavoured fried chicken, validating demand at scale.
The Indian food service marked which is growing is increasingly shaped by global influences, particularly among Gen Z consumers.
bb.q Chicken’s entry, therefore, is less about testing the waters and more about riding an already building wave. The real challenge will be adapting a globally successful, premium fried chicken format to India’s highly competitive and price-sensitive quick-service restaurant market.