LA Icon Pink's Hot Dogs Opens in Seoul as U.S. Chains Race into Korea
Creatrip Team
4 months ago
LA institution Pink's Hot Dogs opened its first Korean store on Nov. 25 at The Hyundai Seoul in Yeouido, marking the latest North American food brands entering Korea's competitive dining market. Operated locally by BSK (the Korean operator of Godiva), Pink's — a Hollywood staple since 1939 — has registered franchise information with Korea's Fair Trade Commission and plans further openings including at Hyundai Department Store Pangyo. Global chains are targeting Korea because its consumers, especially the MZ generation, quickly adopt and test new trends, making the country an ideal 'testbed.' Chipotle is preparing a joint venture and expects to open around 2026, Jimmy John's and Taco Bell are expanding, and other U.S. names like Shake Shack and Five Guys have already established themselves. Industry insiders say brands now choose Korea earlier than Japan or Singapore due to fast, reliable market responses and rapid expansion when a brand story resonates.
