Monday, May 23, 2016

Fayetteville Getting New-to-Market Korean Fried Chicken Chain, Bonchon

New chicken chain enters metro market. 

Bonchon, a growing Korean fried chicken franchise, has secured a lease for its first location in Georgia.  Located in Fayette Pavilion in Fayetteville, the new Bonchon will occupy a 3,600 square foot space in phase one of the center, near Rack Room Shoes.  

If you are not familiar, Fayetteville is south of Atlanta, about 30 minutes from Hartsfield.  

My Fayetteville area tipster and I were rather perplexed by the choice of location, but perhaps the company is banking on area diners' willingness to try new things.  

Bonchon is known for its Korean fried chicken, which it offers as wings, drums and strips in assorted signature spices. The restaurant also offers other Korean favorites like Bibimbap, Chicken Katsu and pork buns.  

Although a menu for the Fayetteville location is not yet available on its website, I reviewed the menus of other locations for an idea of what locals could expect.  Small (10 piece orders) or wings, drums or strips usually retailed for about $12-13.  

Another dish, "BULGOGI,"  is thinly sliced tender ribeye beef marinated and aged with a homemade sauce, sautéed with mushrooms and onions, and served with white rice and steamed vegetables on the side, was offered at $16-18 on most menus.  The pricing I reviewed seemed to place it on the premium end of any quick serve spectrum.  Bonchon is sure to face an uphill battle convincing would-be diners to spend a considerable amount more on novelty items versus favorites like Chick-fil-A, KFC and the recently opened nearby Bojangles'. 

Founder Jinduk Seh opened the first Bonchon in 2002 in the coastal city of Busan, South Korea.  Bonchon, which translates to "my hometown," has grown steadily since its humble beginnings in South Korea.  The first U.S. Bonchon location opened in 2006 in Leonia, New Jersey.  Bonchon, which maintains domestic headquarters in New York City, has since grown to forty locations in the U.S. with another sixteen or so in the works.  

Have you ever had Bonchon chicken? Do you think Fayetteville makes sense as a place to launch this growing chain in Georgia?  Where else would you like to see Bonchon open?  

Please share your thoughts below 

24 comments:

AJ said...

I saw the picture and was excited and then I read the location and my first thought was "HUH????" Ridiculous location. I've wanted to try this place, but I will not be going to Fayetteville to try it. Maybe if I'm down there for something else. Such an odd choice of location. Maybe he knows something we don't know, but if he uses this location as a barometer to see if he should open other GA locations, I guess I won't be holding my breath for a location closer to town. Doraville, Chamblee, or Tucker would've been a better option in my opinion. Closer to the city. Closer to Asian populations, but still with cheaper rents. Since it was founded in South Korea, I'm assuming this is at least fairly authentic and would be something you'd want to locate near an Asian population. I would expect to see Asian people eating here, unlike Panda Express!

vespajet said...

Fayetteville does seem like an odd choice for them, as I would think that somewhere like Duluth would be a more likely choice considering the sizable Korean population in that part of Gwinnett County (which has the largest Asian population in Metro Atlanta).

Anonymous said...

This location makes no sense at all. While Fayette County has a decent-sized Asian community, they are scattered throughout the county rather than in one cluster. Additionally, Fayette Pavilion - no matter which phase we're talking about - has developed an unsafe image. Had a location on the south side of Fayetteville been chosen, the outlook may have been better. Folks who are going to spend this kind of money for what appears to be a fast-casual format pretty much avoid the Pavilion area. It'll be interesting to see how long this will last.

cafeej said...

They are killing it in the DC area and am happy to see a franchisee take the risk of opening one here - albeit Fayetteville. Hopefully there will be locations on the north side in the future.

Anonymous said...

OMFG!! some of the comments I'm seeing on here are just veiled with ignorance.

Why do some of you feel that it's " weird " for a Korean Fried Chicken place to be in town like Fayetteville? ( I already know a couple of answers to that question already and will respond to it)

Also why isvit that Korean\ Asian people should enjoy their product? As the blog story says,they are trying to bring their food out so that other people can enjoy their chicken. I'm Black and was introduced to Korean Fried Chicken by a Korean friend of my family and I know other non-Asian people who love Korean Fried Chicken as well as regular Southern Fried chicken. If Korean chicken should be just " limited " to Asian/Korean people..then we shouldn't eat other culturally diversified foods as well.

Fayetteville a dangerous city? My god..it's no more dangerous than any " nice " upscale community in metro Atlanta. You hear more crime taking place in those areas than Fayetteville because of naive minds like ones I'm reading on here. I mean..I laugh how people say what is/ what isn't dangerous.People will not say that Midtown or Kenox square is dangerous because it's fairly upscale no matter how many times they have been on TV yet in comparison.. Fayetteville is rarely on there. What's up with those stats? I would feel more unsafe in the northside/ upscale areas because of the stereotypical thoughts of who is more/ not prone to crime.Though burglars robs any community,notice how they like targeting nicer communities a little more. They prey on naive people ..the ones that will jog in their neighborhoods at night or leave their doors,windows or car doors unlocked and prey on area where they think the money is.

I've been to Fayetteville for years and I've never been victimized by crime and yes..I will check out this restaurant when it opens. When it comes to taking precautions I do not discriminate on what community is good/ bad because crime is all over the country.

dal787 said...

It's ok. I prefer it's main competitor Kyochon for Korean fried chicken, but Pollo Campero is better than both.

StojBoj said...

Bonchon is awesome. Yes I have eaten at DC area locations. I'm just disappointed it's so far from ATL.

Freddy said...

I like how for whatever reason bulgogi is given both ALL CAPS and quotation marks. It's a dish. Do you do the same for "TACOS," "HUMMUS" or "LO MEIN"? Is it so mysterious and foreign and scary?

Anonymous said...

I need everyone to remember how far fayetteville is from the interstate. There is no direct access from the interstate. You literally have to exit in another city and drive down a state highway for 20 minutes to get there. Anyone that lives in the metro Atlanta area north of the Airport would have to make a serious trek to get there. An hour+ if you live even slightly north of Atlanta. This is why this location is odd and out of place. They will seriously be limiting their growth potential or even their ability to stay in business. They would only get local traffic and anyone north of the airport still willing to make the drive would only do so on special occasions or desperation. Especially since they're charging as much as they are, it would have made more sense to be closer to the city where the residents are more used to the crazy prices. I don't know anyone on southside that would pay almost $15 for just 10pc wings. Even if they had it, they wouldn't pay it, because the prices are ludicrous compared to other chicken places down there.

Unknown said...

I will be there at least once a week! Not Asian. Wife is half. It's just great food...not another BBQ, Mexican, faux chinese or, gag...meat and some number.
They will Kill it! Mark my words.

Unknown said...

Thank you!!

Unknown said...

I will be there at least once a week! Not Asian. Wife is half. It's just great food...not another BBQ, Mexican, faux chinese or, gag...meat and some number.
They will Kill it! Mark my words.

koreankuban said...

There is a large Korean community in the south not to mention plenty of us mom Korean who love the culture and food... I live in East Atlanta an I drive all the way to Abbott's crossing in John's Creek to eat at joys pizza and chicken a Korean fried chicken and beer and have actually traveled to Seoul South Korea and eaten at a bonchon..... So where there is a cult following there will be support. So yes it makes sense it's a shorter drive for me so I will be there at least once a week...surely I am not the only one.. And will advertise them like crazy ...now if only we could also bring a Korean coffee shop... Macaroons and bubble tea afterwords ...yummy. thank you to the franchise owner for bring a gem to Fayetteville.... Next korean BBQ joint and bakery... Why not??!!!!

Unknown said...

I'm soooo happy the place is opening on this end! We don't have half of the wonderful stores or restaurants that northern GA has. To be honest I was pleasantly surprised about the location being on this end as well. I just had Bon Chon for the very first time in Washington D.C. about a month ago. It was great! The Parmesan fries and the super big drumsticks may be worth a leisure drive down this way one day. ��

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

I go to the Pavillion often, but I hear about Roswell, Duluth, Tucker on the news more than I have of the Pavillion.

Unknown said...

Welcome to Fayette County's world!!!! We have to drive far for the nice and unique stores and restaurants we like too!

Anonymous said...

Mark my word, it's worth the drive. I grew addicted to the stuff while living in DC. THIS guy WILL be making the trip.

Unknown said...

You are right it is a pain to get to Fayetteville off the expressway. No easy access.

Unknown said...

Yay!!! 😊

anonymous said...

Thank you I agree...Fayetteville's crime rate is not high at all.There is more burglaries and murders in Atlanta metro ..than cities outside of Atlanta..kudos to this restaurant for giving Fayetteville a chance!

Unknown said...

Exactly! However, I went to BonChon yesterday and I was disappointed. Not what I got in D.C. The Parmesan fries were just ok and the yum yum sauce that comes with it wasn't yummy at all. I will give them another try in a few months. Hopefully by then they will have the recipes together. Oh I must say the chicken was on point and very good!!!

Unknown said...

I saw a sign for this place back in May 2016 and I freaked out! Mainly excited because someone decided to open a Korean restaurant on the Southside of ATL. 99% of them are in or north of Atlanta. And for someone that lives on the South end of town and drove 30 miles or more to enjoy the cuisine, I was elated to see one that's less than 20 minutes away from home. I will be there this weekend. Thank you to the owners that selected a location south of I-20. I hope more follow suit.

Unknown said...

My sister and I ate at the new Fayetteville, GA location and I've got to say those were some of the most delicious wings I've ever had. They are specific in taste - Korean style - and are OUTSTANDING!!!! I never knew I liked Korean food. I do believe they will succeed as they offer more than just wings. Their Menu is very small but I think it will work just fine! Looking forward to my next trip there! Going to bring along a couple of girlfriends too!
By the by...I'm a HUGE food snob...so if I'm telling you they are fabulous...they are worth the trip!

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