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Papa Johns Korea is ruffling the K-chicken market by launching its American-style fried chicken brand, Mama Chicken, aiming to slice into South Korea's intense culinary scene. The company has ambitious plans to establish 1,000 restaurants across the country by 2035.
The Korean unit of Papa Johns opened its first Mama Chicken fried chicken brand in the Western part of Seoul on Friday. Pjikorea Ltd., the local operator of the pizza chain, built the first outlet in the district of Mapo, as per Yonhap News Agency.
Papa Johns Korea established its fried chicken brand intending to compete one-on-one in the market where fried chicken is a popular food item. It will compete in the market using its American-style Cajun fried chicken and chicken wings.
The company is looking to open the second Mama Chicken store in the region later this year. It may also start its franchise business in 2024. Its long-term goal is to set up 1,000 fried chicken restaurants across South Korea by 2035.
Papa Johns' Mama Chicken brand will differentiate its fried chicken by offering all-American style chicken. It has high hopes as the country is already full of K-style fried chicken restaurants. This is the dominant market today, and Mama Chicken is eager to infiltrate and hopefully beat its rivals.
According to Korea Joongang Daily, visitors can buy Cajun fried chicken in mild or spicy with 13 sauces to choose from. The flagship outlet in Mapo was designed to give the ambiance of a casual pub restaurant concept. The store accepts dine-in and takeout orders, while the second branch will also add a delivery service.
"Amid the dominance of the so-called K-chicken in the market, Mama Chicken is committed to delivering American-style original taste, considered to be the essence of chicken," Papa Johns Korea's chief executive officer, Chun Jung Koo, said in a statement. "Drawing inspiration from the success of Papa John's pizza with its exceptional quality standards, Mama Chicken will maintain the same DNA, aiming to foster a loyal customer base."
Photo by: Mariia Shalabaieva/Unsplash
