Korean restaurant chains last year ran 4,644 stores in 56 countries. Shown is a branch of the Korean franchise Paris Baguette in the French capital. (Margareth Theresia)

By Aisylu Akhmetzianova

Domestic restaurant and food chains last year grew worldwide thanks to the Hallyu (Korean Wave) boom.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and Korea Agro-Fisheries and Food Trade Corp. on Feb. 5 released their 2025 study on the global expansion of domestic restaurant companies showing that the latter had 4,644 stores in 56 countries.

Over the past five years, the number of such establishments rose 24.8% from 3,722 to 4,644.

The number of countries with the branches also grew from 48 to 56 led by the U.S. with 23.8%, followed by China (17.9%), Vietnam (13.7%), the Philippines (6.3%) and Thailand (5%) in that order.

In 2020, China had the most stores with 1,368 but that figure plunged to 830 due to increased competition from Chinese counterparts. The U.S., however, saw its number more than double to 1,106.

By food, Korean-style chicken restaurants accounted for the highest percentage, followed by those selling baked goods, Hansik (traditional food), and pizza, hamburgers and sandwiches.

aisylu@korea.kr