Last month, Shinsegae Food Co. LTD finished the year strong by appointing a new CEO and opening its seventh Johnny Rockets restaurant in 22 months.
On December 1, Sung-Hwan Kim became CEO of Shinsegae Food, a subsidiary of Shinsegae Group – owner and operator of department and discount stores throughout Korea, as well as a major provider of food services, materials and distribution. Kim most recently served as executive vice president of the merchandise division at Shinsegae Department Store, and previously held CEO positions at Chosun Hotel Bakery and the Westin Chosun Hotel.
Ten days after coming on board, Kim opened the company’s seventh Johnny Rockets restaurant in South Korea at Shinsegae Incheon. The 572-square-foot location reflects the all-American brand’s contemporary-yet-timeless design prototype introduced last May and is close to the food court and bus station, affording to-go convenience and additional seating for travelers to Korea’s third largest city. It is open every day from 10:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
“When we first contemplated opening restaurants in the Republic of Korea, we knew that to be successful, we’d need a development partner with an established, highly respected presence in the area that truly understood Korea’s unique culture and business landscape,” said Steve Devine, President of Johnny Rockets International. “By opening seven restaurants in less than two years – two more locations that originally planned, and all operated with the same passion, commitment to Guest satisfaction and respect for our iconic brand – Shinsegae Food has clearly demonstrated that they were the right choice for our entry into this critical international marketplace.”
Earlier in 2012, the sixth Johnny Rockets restaurant in South Korea opened in the food court of Shinsegae Gyeonggi, serving residents of, and visitors to, the southern part of the Gyeonggi-do province. Like its Incheon counterpart, the 498-square-foot location boasts trendy architectural elements and features Johnny Rockets’ signature juicy Hamburgers, crispy American Fries, hand-spun Shakes and classic Sandwiches – along with regional favorites that include the Oriental Rocket, Garlic Hamburger, and Insadong Paste. It is open every day from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
The other five Johnny Rockets restaurants in South Korea are located at Gangnam Station , Yeoju Simon Outlets and Shinsegae’s flagship store in Myeong-dong (all three of which opened in October 2011); Paju Simon Outlets (March 2011); and Shinsegae Gangnam (February 2011).
For more information about Johnny Rockets and its franchising opportunities, go to www.johnnyrockets.com.
