EXPLORE KOREA

Franchise in Korea

International franchise brands, market entry and the business stories shaping Korea’s streets.

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Can Korea’s Old “Yeogwan” Become a New Hospitality Brand?

Once regarded simply as Korea’s cheapest form of accommodation, the traditional yeogwan may have new potential in the experience-driven travel era. As Seoul’s older neighborhoods embrace hanok stays, urban homestays, guesthouses and Airbnb-style accommodation, Korea’s small lodging industry is shifting from selling inexpensive rooms to selling local experiences. Could “Yeogwan” itself be reinvented as a distinctly Korean hospitality brand?

Korea’s Grocery Retail Map: Convenience Stores, Supermarkets and the Franchise vs. Independent Store Opportunity

South Korea has one of the world’s densest convenience-store networks, but the market is changing. More than 53,000 major-chain convenience stores compete with corporate supermarkets, independent neighborhood markets and traditional “mom-and-pop” grocery stores. SOHOFRANCHISE examines the national retail landscape and asks a practical question for entrepreneurs: is it safer to open a branded franchise, or can an independent supermarket still compete?

Korea’s Pet Lifestyle Boom: Why Unmanned Pet Shops Could Be the Next Small Franchise Model

South Korea’s fast-growing pet market is expanding beyond food and veterinary care into grooming, accessories, fashion and lifestyle services. As unmanned retail becomes increasingly familiar in Korean cities, small hybrid pet shops combining self-service retail, grooming reservations and smart pickup systems could emerge as a promising new franchise model.