How Many bb.q Chicken Stores Are There? A 2025 Expansion Update

Have you ever wondered just how big the bb. Q Chicken empire has grown? As a fan of Korean fried chicken, I’ve been watching this chain grow quickly across the US, and the numbers are truly impressive. Let’s dive into the current state of bb. q Chicken’s presence and their ambitious expansion plans.

bb.q Chicken’s Current Store Count

As of September 2025, bb.q Chicken operates approximately 350 locations across the United States. This follows their successful execution of their 2025 expansion plan, which added 100 new stores to their previous count of about 250 stores at the end of 2024.

The company has achieved remarkable penetration of the U.S. market, now operating in 31 out of 50 states. This extensive coverage represents a strategic expansion beyond their initial focus on key markets like New York, New Jersey, and California into states such as Tennessee, Nebraska, Arkansas, and Indiana.

Breaking Down bb.q Chicken’s U.S. Presence by State

By looking at where their stores are located, BBQ Chicken has built a strong presence in some states.

• California: The highest concentration with 50+ locations
• New Jersey: 20+ locations
• New York: 15+ locations
• Texas: 20+ locations
• Virginia: 10+ locations

Other states with multiple locations include:

• Florida
• Georgia
• Illinois
• Massachusetts
• Maryland
• Pennsylvania
• Washington

Global Presence

BBQ Chicken has grown to be present in 57 countries around the world, in addition to the United States.

• Canada
• Japan
• Panama
• Bahamas
• Vietnam
• Costa Rica

The company is particularly focused on growing in Latin American markets, which they’ve identified as sharing similar food culture traits with the U.S.

Revenue and Growth

The explosive growth of bb.q Chicken in the U.S. market is reflected in their impressive sales figures:

As of 2024, U. S. About 27.5 percent of the brand’s total overseas consumer sales came from sales, which were worth about 400 billion won ($204 million). 69 million).

What’s Driving bb.q Chicken’s Success?

The rapid expansion of bb.q Chicken in the U.S. market can be attributed to several factors:

1. Unique Korean-Style Flavors

Unlike traditional American fried chicken chains, bb.q Chicken offers distinctly Korean flavors. Their signature item is their seasoned chicken, known as “Golden Olive Yangnyeom Chicken” in South Korea and marketed as “Secret Sauce Chicken” in the U.S.

2. Rising Popularity of Spicy Food

As an industry insider noted: “With numerous fried chicken franchises already present in the U.S., bb.q’s key competitive advantage lies in its Korean-style seasoned chicken. As spicy food gains popularity in the U.S., particularly with items like Buldak spicy ramen, bb.q’s uniquely spicy chicken is seeing strong demand.”

3. Strategic Location Selection

bb.q Chicken has carefully selected locations with high foot traffic and proximity to their target demographic, including areas with significant Asian populations and college campuses.

Future Expansion Plans

Genesis BBQ Group, the parent company of bb.q Chicken, has ambitious plans for continued growth in the American market. Chairman Yoon Hong-geun has publicly stated their goal to establish 1,000 franchise locations across all 50 U.S. states in the near future.

To raise brand awareness, BBQ recently launched its first advertisement in Times Square, the heart of New York City – a significant marketing investment that signals their commitment to the U.S. market.

How bb.q Chicken Compares to Competitors

While bb.q Chicken leads the Korean fried chicken expansion in the U.S., other Korean brands are also entering the market:

• Kyochon Chicken: Currently operates four directly managed stores and one franchise store in the Los Angeles area
• BHC Chicken: Maintains four U.S. locations

However, these competitors are still significantly smaller in scale compared to bb.q’s extensive network of 350 stores.

Store Operations and Experience

Most bb.q Chicken locations offer:

• Carry-out service
• Delivery options
• Some locations offer catering
• Select locations provide dine-in experience
• A few specialty locations even offer karaoke

The typical operating hours for most locations are:

• Monday-Thursday: 11:00am-9:00pm
• Friday-Saturday: 11:00am-10:00pm
• Sunday: 11:00am-9:00pm

However, hours can vary significantly by location, with some urban stores staying open as late as 2:00am to cater to late-night diners.

Finding a bb.q Chicken Near You

With locations in 31 states, there’s likely a bb.q Chicken within reach for many Americans. Their store locator on the website allows customers to search by city and state or zip code, providing detailed information about each location including:

• Address
• Phone number
• Operating hours
• Available services (carry-out, delivery, catering)

My Thoughts on bb.q Chicken’s Expansion

As someone who’s been following the Korean fried chicken trend in America, I’m not surprised by bb.q Chicken’s success. Their unique flavors offer something different from traditional American fried chicken chains like KFC or Popeyes.

The company’s rapid expansion reminds me of how Chipotle revolutionized Mexican fast casual dining or how Panda Express brought Americanized Chinese food to shopping malls nationwide. bb.q Chicken seems to be riding the wave of American consumers’ increasing interest in diverse international flavors, especially those with a spicy kick.

With their current trajectory, I wouldn’t be surprised if they achieve their goal of 1,000 U.S. locations within the next few years. The demand for Korean-style fried chicken continues to grow, and bb.q Chicken has positioned themselves as the leading provider in this niche.

bb.q Chicken has experienced phenomenal growth in the United States, expanding from a niche import to a nationwide chain with 350 locations across 31 states. Their success story illustrates the growing American appetite for international flavors and specialized fast-casual dining experiences.

With plans to reach 1,000 U.S. locations and continued international expansion, bb.q Chicken is clearly positioning itself as a global player in the competitive fried chicken market. Whether you’re a longtime fan or have yet to try their signature Secret Sauce Chicken, you’ll likely see more of their distinctive red and black logo as they continue their ambitious expansion plans throughout 2025 and beyond.

Have you tried bb.q Chicken yet? What’s your favorite flavor? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below!