Managing Director of New Business Strategy at Galleria Kim Dong-seon, right, shakes hands with Senior Vice President of Operations at FGE International William Peecher after signing an agreement to run Five Guys franchise stores in Korea at a Seoul hotel, Thursday, Courtesy of Galleria Department Store

By Kim Jae-heun

Galleria Department Store is launching Korea's very first Five Guys hamburger diner in Seoul as part of its efforts to expand its restaurant business as the country returns to normal from the two-year-long COVID-19 pandemic, the retailer said Thursday.

It signed a business rights contract with FGE International to operate Five Guys restaurants in the domestic market starting from the first half of 2023.

This is a notable accomplishment for Hanwha Group, which operates Galleria Department Store, as the youngest son of group Chairman Kim Seung-yeon has spearheaded efforts to bring one of America's most beloved hamburger restaurant franchises to Korea.

Five Guys has consistently maintained a cautious stance on entering the Korean market as it puts the utmost priority on offering the perfect local taste in its menu items. Kim Dong-seon, the youngest son of the Hanwha chairman, was appointed as Hanwha Solutions Galleria Division's executive in charge of new business strategies in March and reportedly traveled to the United States many times to build trust with Five Guys Founder Jerry Murrell.

Galleria Department Store has been operating a food and beverage business centered on its "Gourmet 494" brand. The company is focusing on introducing the most popular American hamburgers here. Galleria will open over 15 Five Guys restaurants in the next five years.

"Five Guys always puts a priority on making good food. We are happy to work with Galleria Department Store as our business partner in Korea. Based on our passion for good food, we expect Five Guys to show big success in the Korean market," Senior Vice President of Operation at FGE International William Peecher said.

Currently, Five Guys operates 1,700 restaurants in 23 countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, England and France. Korea will be the fifth country to open a Five Guys franchise in Asia after Hong Kong, Singapore, China and Malaysia.