Popeyes' comeback in South Korea achieved success with strong sales results

Popeyes Louisiana Fried Chicken fast-food chain has finally returned to the South Korean market after a two-year hiatus. Its comeback has been successful, as shown by the strong sales results after its opening.

Popeyes’ local operator, which is the Silla Group, said that more than 5,000 people visited the brand’s store in Gangnam in the first three days after the official launch that took place on Dec. 16, 2022.

As per The Korea Herald, as of Tuesday, Jan. 24, Popeyes was able to sell more than 50,000 of its flagship fried chicken sandwiches. These were sold in a month after it opened its doors again for Korean customers.

It was said that the fried chicken chain’s high sales turnout was mostly credited to the Silla Group’s marketing strategies to re-introduce Louisiana-style recipes in the country. It was in late 2020 when Popeyes pulled out in South Korea.

The company cited the decrease in sales amid the saturated market for fast-food franchises as the main reason for its exit at that time. Now, its return to the region was anticipated as there are customers who actually missed the brand following its long absence.

"Since Popeyes withdrew its business from Korea in 2020, there have been many consumers who have asked for the chain's return,” an official at Popeyes said in a statement. “The company judged that with the new menu items, Popeyes will be more competitive than ever and also stimulate nostalgia for Korean consumers who have missed the brand.”

The company official added that they would be opening more Popeyes branches, and the third store is set to be launched in Hwagok Station by the end of this month. "The new Popeyes strategy is to incorporate the unique culture of the southern US in Korea. The Korean Popeyes outlets aim to seamlessly embody the atmosphere and culture of the region."

Photo by: theimpulsivebuy/Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)