Free guides for buying a franchise and franchising your business in South Korea, plus the latest articles from the Quality Franchise Association.
Practical guides to buying a franchise in South Korea: choosing a brand, due diligence, costs, finance and local rules.
View all articles GuidesStep-by-step guides to franchising your business in South Korea: readiness, legal documents, fees, recruitment and local regulation.
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Having a company-operated outlet does not prove that a franchise’s operating model works. Check who runs it, how long they have done so and how it differs from your proposed outlet to assess the franchisor’s practical capabilities.
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How royalties are calculated matters more than the headline rate. Before signing, check how discounts, refunds and delivery orders are treated, along with minimum payments and billing corrections.
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Buying an existing franchise outlet does not automatically give you the right to operate under the brand. Check the franchisor’s approval, how the franchise agreement will transfer, outstanding debts and payment conditions together.
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Budgeting only for opening costs can leave you short of funds when a refurbishment is required later. Understand South Korea’s legal rules on premises improvements, the franchisor’s contribution and the evidence to secure before work begins.
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Even if a franchise agreement says fees are non-refundable, statutory grounds for repayment may still apply. Before signing, check which payments may be recoverable, what evidence you need and how to make a claim.
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A well-known brand does not guarantee that the franchisor has secure rights to let you use it. Before signing, check who owns the rights, the scope and duration of any licence, and who pays if a dispute arises.
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Define territory boundaries and the scope of protection before recruiting your first franchisee. This practical guide covers mapping, delivery areas and checks on proposed new outlets in South Korea.
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Your first franchisee should be someone who will uphold your operating standards, not simply someone who can pay the initial fee. Learn how to assess prospective franchisees through consistent questions, practical scenarios and documented reviews.
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How royalties are calculated matters more than the headline rate. Before turning an existing business into a franchise, define which sales count, what can be deducted, and how billing and disputes will be handled.
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Can your existing outlet run reliably without its founder? Before recruiting franchisees, identify the founder’s hidden work and decision-making, then test whether another operator can run the business independently.
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Even if you have used a trading name for years, you still need to confirm your authority to let franchisees use it. Check ownership, the scope of protection, licensing agreements and what happens if rights expire.
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Prospective franchisees need time to review both the disclosure document and the franchise agreement. This practical guide explains how to record document delivery and manage statutory waiting periods before your first franchise agreement.
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Major South Korean budget coffee brands increased advertising spending in 2025, but franchise outlet sales followed different paths. Prospective franchisees should distinguish between advertising budgets, franchisee contributions, sales and profit.
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No Brand Burger and Lotteria are expanding smaller, space-efficient stores, while Mom’s Touch, Burger King and bhc are introducing experience-led venues. Store formats increasingly reflect local trading conditions and customers’ reasons for visiting.
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Natuur has voluntarily cancelled its franchise disclosure registration and closed its dedicated shops. The shift comes 28 years after the brand’s launch, with sales now focused on packaged ice cream through hypermarkets, convenience stores and online channels.
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