Dae Gee

About Dae Gee

Dae Gee brings Korean barbecue and family-inspired recipes to a casual dining setting. Established by Joseph Kim in Colorado in 2012, the brand opened its first restaurant in Westminster and reports ten US locations. Its name means “pig” in Korean, reflecting its barbecue roots, while its offering also includes vegetarian choices and barbecue or sushi catering for events. The business emphasises community, shared meals and recipes handed down through generations. Dae Gee is exploring UK expansion and exhibited at a London franchise event in February 2024, although no UK openings are confirmed in the supplied profile. Its franchise model uses a central kitchen or commissary to prepare food for operators, with single- and multi-site opportunities and owner-operated or semi-absentee structures. Franchisees are offered site selection assistance, training and corporate support, and prior restaurant experience is not mandatory.

Why franchise with Dae Gee

• ✓Build on a Korean barbecue concept with ten reported US locations and ambitions to enter the UK market.
• ✓Offer family-inspired Korean dishes, vegetarian choices and catering options for events and groups.
• ✓Benefit from a central kitchen or commissary model that prepares food for restaurant operators.
• ✓Choose an owner-operated or semi-absentee structure, with single- and multi-site opportunities.
• ✓Access franchise training, site selection assistance and ongoing corporate support from the brand.
• ✓Explore exclusive territories in a casual dining concept built around shared meals and community.

Investment breakdown

Minimum investment	$380,875
Maximum investment	$954,125
Franchise fee	$45,000
Management service fee	5.5%
Marketing contribution	1%
Agreement term	On request

What's expected of a franchisee

Property requirements

Dae Gee seeks premises suitable for its Korean barbecue concept, with site selection assistance offered to franchise partners. The brand reports a central kitchen or commissary model that prepares food for operators, which may influence individual kitchen requirements. However, the supplied profile does not specify floor area, seating capacity, frontage, extraction, preferred location types or lease terms. Prospective UK applicants should confirm site criteria directly with the franchisor.

Training and support

Dae Gee states that franchisees receive full training and corporate support, including assistance with site selection. The business operates a central kitchen or commissary that prepares food for restaurant owners, helping to support the operating model. Previous restaurant experience is not required. The supplied profile does not specify training duration, location, launch-team involvement, marketing services or the frequency of ongoing operational visits, so these details require confirmation.

Operational requirements

Dae Gee offers Korean barbecue restaurants through single- and multi-unit franchises, with owner-operated and semi-absentee ownership options. Its central kitchen or commissary prepares food for restaurant operators. Franchisees must maintain food quality, service and brand standards while overseeing staffing and local operations. The supplied profile does not specify opening hours, minimum staffing, equipment, approved suppliers or the extent of required owner involvement.

Experience required

Dae Gee states that previous restaurant experience is not essential and offers both owner-operator and semi-absentee franchise structures. Applicants must meet a stated minimum net worth of $500,000 and have access to $150,000-$300,000 in cash investment. Franchisees should be prepared to oversee teams, customer service and business performance, with training and corporate support available. The supplied profile does not set out other mandatory professional qualifications.

Territory availability