Under-40s account for 36% of Paik’s Coffee franchisees and 31% at bhc as younger Koreans turn to franchising

Franchisees in their twenties and thirties are becoming an increasingly prominent part of South Korea’s franchise sector. They account for 36% of all franchisees at Paik’s Coffee and 31% at bhc. The trend suggests that younger people are viewing franchising as a career path and business opportunity, rather than simply a way to earn a living after retirement. However, the figures cover different populations at different brands and should not be treated as a picture of the age profile of South Korean franchisees as a whole.

Paik’s Coffee and bhc count all franchisees; Mega MGC Coffee counts new outlets

According to figures on franchisee age groups at major food and drink brands reported by South Korean news outlet Edaily in November 2026, people in their twenties and thirties made up 36% of all Paik’s Coffee franchisees. The figure was 31% at bhc and 25.2% at Kyochon Chicken. At these brands, that means between one in four and more than one in three franchisees were in those age groups.

At Mega MGC Coffee, people in their twenties and thirties accounted for around 40% of franchisees opening new outlets that year. This describes the age profile of new entrants, not the franchisees running all currently operating outlets. It therefore cannot be used to rank the brand directly against the all-franchisee figures for Paik’s Coffee or bhc.

At No Brand Burger, operated by Shinsegae Food, the number of new franchisees in their twenties and thirties doubled in the first half of the year compared with the same period a year earlier. Again, this measures an increase in the number of younger people joining during a specific period, rather than their share of all franchisees. It does not show how the total number of new franchisees changed.

These examples are significant because they show younger entrepreneurs participating across coffee, chicken and burger franchises. However, the share of all franchisees, the share of new entrants and the growth in the number of new franchisees each answer different questions. The trend towards greater participation by younger people is worth noting, but these measures should not be combined into a single average or headline figure.

Younger franchisees’ share has also risen over five years

The shift is clearer at brands that provide figures over time. At bhc, the share of franchisees in their twenties and thirties rose from around 10–15% in 2021 to 31% in 2026. That is more than double the historical range cited in the report. Having both current and earlier figures for the same brand makes it possible to assess the change.

Bon IF, which operates Korean-food franchise brands, also saw the share of franchisees in these age groups rise over the same period, from around 15% to 21.9% — roughly a 1.5-fold increase. The company said the proportion of younger franchisees had been rising steadily each year. This shows that the changing franchisee profile extends beyond coffee and burger chains to Korean-food brands.

However, a higher share alone does not reveal how much the absolute number of younger franchisees has increased. The proportion depends on both the total franchisee population and the number in each age group. Separate evidence would also be needed to interpret it as an improvement in business success rates or long-term viability.

The point for the franchise sector is not that one age group performs better than another. It is that the composition of the franchisees working with franchisors is changing. Increased entry by younger franchisees and the performance of their outlets need to be assessed separately.

Choosing business ownership over employment, with an eye on franchisor support

Edaily identified difficulties finding work, job insecurity and changing attitudes towards careers as factors behind younger people’s decision to enter franchising. Rather than focusing solely on securing a conventional job, some see business ownership as a way to increase their income through their own efforts and gain management experience. The report emphasised the growing acceptance of franchising as another career option.

According to figures from South Korea’s national data agency cited in the report, the number of employed people aged 15–29 fell by 196,000 in October compared with the same month a year earlier. It was the 48th consecutive month of decline. However, this employment measure covers people aged 15–29, whereas the franchisee figures cover those in their twenties and thirties. It provides context for labour-market conditions, not direct proof of what is driving the increase in younger franchisees.

The ability to use a franchisor’s operating systems was also cited as an attraction for entrepreneurs with limited business experience. Brand recognition, menu development, logistics, training and operating manuals can provide support in areas that independent business owners would otherwise have to establish themselves. The report said these systems had helped reduce early trial and error.

It also noted the growth of formats such as delivery- and takeaway-focused outlets, which can require relatively little initial capital. However, this should not be read as a guarantee of low start-up costs or high profitability across all brands. Access to franchisor support and the ability of an individual outlet to make a profit are separate considerations.

Separate the growth in younger ownership from investment decisions

These brand-level figures show that younger people are becoming an important group of operators within South Korea’s franchise sector. In particular, the changes over time at bhc and Bon IF suggest a shift in the franchisee population itself, rather than simply a passing interest among new entrants. The Mega MGC Coffee and No Brand Burger figures are useful for understanding more recent entry patterns.

For prospective franchisees, the first step is to check the denominator behind each statistic. Does the figure show a high proportion of younger people among all franchisees, or only among those who opened a business that year? The fact that a brand has many franchisees of a similar age does not, on its own, mean its operating model will suit you.

During franchise enquiries, it is worth looking beyond participation figures by age to establish the actual set-up costs, staffing requirements, training provision and supply arrangements. Ask specifically what support the franchisor provides and which tasks franchisees must carry out themselves. These checks help turn a broad market trend into a practical personal business plan.

Use the share of younger franchisees as a starting point for discussions, not as the deciding factor in choosing a brand. First check how the statistics were compiled, then assess separately whether the operating requirements fit your budget and working circumstances.