K-Chicken Emerges as New Growth Engine in U.S. F&B Market — BBQ Leads Category with 33-State Network

Nevada Economic Delegation Visits Seoul BBQ Flagship Store as U.S. Chain Count Surges 22%, Drawing Coverage from CBS and Major Broadcasters

A U.S. economic development delegation from Nevada recently visited South Korea to discuss advanced industry partnerships in lithium, batteries, clean energy, and semiconductors. Despite their packed schedule, the delegation made an official stop at a Korean fried chicken restaurant in Seoul — a telling sign of K-chicken's rising status as a strategic asset where Korean Wave content, diplomacy, and investment converge.

CBS recently dubbed Korean fried chicken "the other KFC (Korean Fried Chicken)" and reported that Korean chicken chain locations in the U.S. have grown 22% in just one year. BBQ, operated by Genesis BBQ Group, now runs stores across 33 U.S. states — the widest geographic footprint among K-chicken brands — while building brand awareness through Times Square billboards and coverage on all four major broadcast networks.