Chicken franchise Genesis BBQ Group's BBQ has been named the No. 7 fastest-growing restaurant brand in the U.S., according to the latest edition of Nation's Restaurant News, a global restaurant trade publication, the company announced Aug. 23.
Founded in 1956, Nation's Restaurant News is the premier source of information on the foodservice industry for restaurateurs and professionals.
Nation's Restaurant News recognized the 25 fastest-growing restaurant brands in the U.S. based on year-over-year store count, total sales, and sales per store.
BBQ ranked #7 on the list, marking the third consecutive year the brand has made the list, following a #5 ranking in 2021 and a #2 ranking in 2022. BBQ is one of only two brands to make the list for three consecutive years, and the only Korean brand to do so overseas.
BBQ entered the U.S. market in 2006 with its first store in Manhattan and continues to expand its presence with more than 250 stores in 25 of the 50 U.S. states.
To meet the growing demand for delivery in the U.S., BBQ has adapted its proven BBQ Smart Kitchen (BSK) model and introduced the "Grab&Go" method, which allows customers to pay and pick up prepared food immediately, in line with modern consumption trends. As a result, BBQ has become a favorite among North American entrepreneurs, with more than 100 stores currently in the pipeline.
Meanwhile, BBQ opened its first store in Columbus, Ohio, in July, marking its exponential growth in the U.S., expanding its presence to the 25th state, half of the 50 states in the U.S., in the 17 years since entering the market.
