Bunsik expands UK franchise network with London and Manchester openings
Korean street food brand Bunsik is continuing its rapid UK growth strategy with two new site launches in May, taking its national estate to 12 locations.
The expansion marks another milestone for the fast-growing corndog and Korean snack concept as it increasingly shifts towards a franchise-led model across the UK.
The first of the two new restaurants officially opened on 15 May at 490 Brixton Road, SW9 8EQ, representing several key milestones for the business. The Brixton venue is Bunsik’s first location in South London and also its first franchised site within the capital.
The restaurant is operated by franchise partner CMB Hospitality, headed by Vicente Marti, as the brand continues to attract experienced hospitality operators looking to tap into growing consumer demand for Korean-inspired quick-service food.
The Brixton launch forms part of a wider strategy by Bunsik to scale through franchising, with London viewed as a major target market for future development.
A second opening is scheduled for 20 May at The Orient food court inside Trafford Centre, one of the UK’s busiest retail and leisure destinations. The Manchester launch is expected to generate strong footfall thanks to the centre’s popularity with shoppers, families and younger consumers.
To support recruitment for the Trafford Centre branch, Bunsik partnered with youth employment charity Street League to run a dedicated hiring initiative. The recruitment campaign reportedly resulted in more than 30 interviews and 13 successful hires, with staff training already underway ahead of launch.
The Trafford Centre restaurant is currently expected to be the final site directly operated by parent company Maguro Group, with future expansion plans expected to focus primarily on franchise partnerships.
Bunsik has built a strong following in the UK through its Korean-style corndogs, tteokbokki, fried chicken and grab-and-go street food menu, capitalising on the continued popularity of Korean culture and cuisine amongst British consumers.
Both new openings will feature the brand’s signature phased launch promotions, including free corndog giveaways during opening week designed to drive local awareness and customer engagement.
The latest additions underline the pace at which Bunsik is scaling its UK presence, with further franchise openings already planned through 2026 as the company looks to strengthen its position within the fast-growing quick-service restaurant sector.
Industry observers say the brand’s franchise-focused strategy could help accelerate expansion into additional regional cities and high-footfall retail destinations over the coming years, particularly as demand for experiential and internationally inspired food concepts continues to rise across the UK dining market.
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