Sojubar

About Sojubar

The founders of Sojubar view the brand as a bridge between cultures, bringing people together through good food and company, where cultural diversity is celebrated. At the heart of the franchise is the combination of Korean fried chicken, beer, and soju.

Sojubar offers authentic Korean dishes including its signature fried chicken which is crispy on the outside with a variety of nine flavours to choose from. The Korean fried chicken pairs with beer and an extensive selection of soju. Sojubar’s menu also features bibimbap, kimbap, mandu, and bingsu.

Sojubar restaurants are designed to have trendy urban aesthetics and all venues feature stylish steel work, glowing neon lights, and vibrant plants. The venues also have entertainment areas which offer an added dimension to the customer experience, further encouraging social media engagement. The brand believes that it’s these factors that have helped the franchise to build a strong social media following, particularly on TikTok and Instagram.

How does the Sojubar franchise model work?

Sojubar aims to be quickly scalable. Its products are high margin items, either due to the initial affordability of items (chicken and seasonings), the economies of scale in bulk buying (beer and soju), or versatility (soju is also used in cocktails).

Processes in the kitchen aim to be kept fast and simple, allowing for quick staff training and product output, without compromising on quality or needing specialised chefs. The supply chain has been fully optimised by the parent company, Maden Group, which manages transportation, warehousing, and distribution.

What type of franchisee is Sojubar looking for?

An ideal Sojubar franchisee will always be committed to upholding the standards of the brand. Prior experience in franchising is highly desirable, especially as an operator within the food and beverage industry. In addition to ensuring the quality of food and customer service, franchisees will focus on creating a lively, exciting ambience for guests.

In addition to day-to-day store management, a franchisee candidate should also be knowledgeable about marketing and creating social media. Above all, an ideal franchisee will have an understanding and appreciation for Sojubar’s brand, sharing in a cultural phenomenon with delicious food, excitement, and diversity.

Training and support

Sojubar franchisees receive support from the brand, starting in the initial stages, helping with site selection, approval, and access to design experts to ensure the venue matches the brand’s aesthetics.

The training then begins with in-store operations training, which includes ongoing excellence coaching, knowledge on operational systems, and opening support.

The brand’s operational know-how and technological solutions are accessible as part of Sojubar’s continuous support. Seasonal campaigns and collaborations, as well as essential marketing access and expertise, help franchisees receive the benefits of the Sojubar’s fast-growing social media network.

Did you know?

Sojubar is eligible for funding support!

Request free information in just 60 seconds!

Take the first step in becoming your own boss!

Middle Name Your Name Your Email

Keep me up to date with franchising news and promotions

Send me free information

By sharing your email, you're agreeing to our privacy policy, cookie policy and terms & conditions.

In addition, funding support may be available via high street banks, asset finance companies, and UK start up loans.

Financial information

The Sojubar concept has been tested in multiple locations, and the brand says it has achieved between £2.5 million and £3.2 million in revenue per restaurant, with an EBITDA at maturity between 20% and 33%.

Franchise fees are £30,000 per store, with minimum investment of £200,000. The total investment, which is in the region of £400,000 per restaurant, has historically been paid back within two years or less. It can be financed via UK high street banks and asset finance companies.

Multi-unit and area development opportunities are also available and the brand is open to discussions with franchisees with the relevant experience and capital.

Why is Sojubar a good investment?

The popularity of Korean cuisine has been growing, due to a wider market demand for more culturally diverse dining experiences, as well as a growing interest in Korean culture.

The influences of K-pop, K-dramas, and K-fashion have all naturally led to curiosity about Korean food, and thus a greater appreciation of Sojubar’s dishes.

Sojubar has also capitalised on the growth of social media. In addition to its active marketing campaigns, the dishes and restaurants have been designed to be ‘Instagrammable’. Entertainment areas with karaoke and beer pong aim to create a lively atmosphere and also encourage social media engagement. The whole customer experience is built around creating fun memories and generating FOMO (fear of missing out) online.

What locations is Sojubar looking to target?

Sojubar opened in 2021 and now has six venues in The Netherlands and one in Belgium, with a goal to open 30 sites by the end of 2026.

Sojubar is interested in franchise expansion in all regions, especially in the UK, Europe, and GCC countries. In the UK, Sojubar is open to both a JV or a straight franchise with someone that wants to bring a Korean concept to the market.

The franchise’s perfect location is a lively, urban high-traffic area, with a diverse population of food enthusiasts, young professionals, and students. Big city high streets, university towns, and transport hubs are all ideal options.

A Sojubar should feature a stylish bar, spacious seating area, room for entertainment, and ideally an outdoor space such as a terrace or beer garden. Venues are typically 1600 to 3200 sq ft (150 to 300 sq m).

What are the franchise terms of agreement and renewal?

The franchise agreement is dependent upon single- or multi-unit development.