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FIELD REPORT

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?

2026.09.03 5 min read

FIELD REPORT

Is Korea’s Chicken Franchise Still a Good Retirement Business for Baby Boomers?

Chicken has long been one of Korea’s most familiar post-retirement businesses. But with nearly 29,000 franchise outlets, rising operating costs and a 12% annual closure rate, opening a chicken restaurant can no longer be considered an easy or low-risk retirement strategy. SOHOFRANCHISE examines whether smaller, owner-operated neighborhood concepts could still work for Korea’s aging baby-boom generation.

2026.09.01 5 min read

FIELD REPORT

AUTOFOTO in Seochon: How a Tiny Unmanned Photo Shop Turns Memories into Business

AUTOFOTO’s tiny unmanned photo shop in Seochon shows how a compact retail space can become a profitable experience business. By combining self-service technology, retro design and instantly printed photographs, the shop turns tourist memories into a simple product with strong social-media appeal.

2026.08.20 5 min read

FIELD REPORT

Can Seoul Become the Next London? A Telephone Booth Near Gyeongbokgung Signals a Tourism Boom

A distinctive telephone booth near Gyeongbokgung Station recalls London’s iconic red phone boxes. As Seoul develops into a global cultural destination, SOHOFRANCHISE expects major opportunities for accommodation, restaurants, beauty shops, souvenir stores and small tourism businesses—with a high-growth scenario of up to ten times more international visitor activity within the next decade.

2026.08.20 5 min read

FIELD REPORT

Seoul’s Historic Districts Are Becoming a Testbed for the Next Generation of Unmanned Franchises

From Deoksugung and Seochon to Bukchon and Samcheong-dong, Seoul’s historic districts are becoming a living testbed for self-photo studios, automated retail, and small-format unmanned businesses. For U.S. franchisors, Korea offers a glimpse of how compact, experience-driven franchise models may evolve.

2026.08.17 5 min read

FIELD REPORT

AUTOFOTO: How a Tiny Unmanned Photo Booth Is Turning Seoul Streets into 24-Hour Retail Spaces

AUTOFOTO is a trendy Korean self-photo booth brand combining vintage design, social-media appeal and a compact unmanned retail model. A visit to its Yeonhui location in Seoul shows how even a tiny street-side space can become a 24-hour experience business.

2026.08.17 5 min read

FIELD REPORT

Why Samcheong-dong Works as a Testbed for Small Retail

This Seoul neighborhood compresses tourists, locals, photogenic streets and tiny store footprints into one district, making it a sharp place to test new retail ideas.

2026.08.16 5 min read

FIELD REPORT

Self Laundry Is Still a Strong Small-Format Service Model

A 24-hour self-laundry store still solves a real household problem and can operate with limited labor, but utility cost, machine uptime and neighborhood fit remain critical.

2026.08.16 5 min read

FIELD REPORT

A 24-Hour Print Shop Without Staff: Convenience You Can Charge For

Printing, copying and scanning may sound old, but a self-service print shop can still win by offering instant access when offices, schools and homes do not solve the problem.

2026.08.16 4 min read

FIELD REPORT

Inside an Unmanned Fashion Shop in Seoul: Retail Without a Cashier

A field look at a self-service fashion shop in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, and what it reveals about the changing economics of unmanned retail.

2026.08.16 6 min read

FIELD REPORT

Inside a 24-Hour Unmanned Self-Laundry in Seoul

A Seoul self-service laundry shows how a traditional household service can operate around the clock with washers, dryers, self-payment, vending and CCTV — but very little on-site staff.

2026.08.16 5 min read

FIELD REPORT

A Phone-Case Kiosk Is Really a Tiny Custom-Manufacturing Business

At first glance it looks like a fun kiosk, but the real business is on-demand personalization, fast fulfillment and low-footprint retail production.

2026.08.16 5 min read

FIELD REPORT

Can a Tiny Self-Photo Booth Be a Profitable Business?

Seoul’s compact self-photo booths show how an unmanned business can sell an experience rather than inventory.

2026.08.16 5 min read

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The 10 Franchise Categories to Watch in 2026

Food, business services, education, wellness and other categories are attracting attention in 2026 — but growth alone does not make a good franchise.

2026.08.15 7 min read

TRENDING

AI Is Moving Beyond the Kiosk

The next retail automation wave is less about ordering screens and more about inventory, forecasting, operations and agentic commerce.

2026.08.14 6 min read

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Robot Cafés: Hype or a Better Operating Model?

The robot arm is visible, but throughput, cleaning, uptime, cup handling and remote support determine whether the business model works.

2026.08.10 6 min read