Sojubar

About Sojubar

Sojubar launched in Rotterdam in 2021, offering beer and soju (a Korean distilled alcoholic drink traditionally made from rice) alongside its fried chicken and other Korean dishes. It has since grown to four locations in the Netherlands and one in Belgium - in Antwerp - with a fifth Dutch location, in Breda, on its way. It has now partnered with Seeds Consulting to explore coming to the UK - either as a joint venture (JV) or a straight franchise. “We think Sojubar is a great fit for the UK market,” said Sojubar managing director, Feng Chen. “It is not just our signatory Korean fried chicken recipes that sets us apart from existing competition, but it is also the vibe that we create every day for our guests, which then invariably gets captured and shared on TikTok. Ultimately, our aim is to take our concept to all main UK cities, and we will be selective both in terms of partners and locations. The popularity of Korean cuisine has never been higher, due in part to the wider market demand for more culturally diverse dining experiences, but also specifically because of growing interest in Korean culture. The influences of Korean pop, dramas, and fashion have all naturally led to curiosity about Korean food, and thus a greater appreciation for the unique, fresh flavours of these dishes.”

Why franchise with Sojubar

• ✓Minimum investment is £200,000 and total investment is £400,000. The Sojubar concept has been tested in multiple locations, and the brand says it has achieved between £2.5mi and £3.2m in revenue per restaurant, with an Ebitda at maturity between 20% and 33%. Franchise fees are £30,000 per store. The total investment has historically been paid back within two years or less, and it can be financed via UK high street banks and asset finance companies. Multi-unit and area development opportunities are also available. 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 1,600 to 3,200 square feet. The franchise agreement is dependent upon single- or multi-unit development. Sojubar aims to be quickly scalable, and its products are high margin items. 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. In addition to day-to-day store management, a franchisee candidate should also be knowledgeable about marketing and creating social media. Sojubar franchisees receive support from the brand, starting in the initial stages, helping with site selection, approval, and access to design experts. The training then begins with in-store operations training, which includes ongoing excellence coaching, knowledge on operational systems and opening support. This will be followed by seasonal campaigns and collaborations, as well as essential marketing access and expertise. Franchise consultant Matteo Frigeri said: “At Seeds, when taking on new clients, we look at the food, financials, scalability, trendiness and the people. Sojubar ranks incredibly highly on all these factors and we are delighted to support its fast growth in the UK and internationally. In the UK, we are open to both a JV or straight franchise with someone that wants to bring a truly innovative Korean concept to our market. In the Netherlands, the sites are packed every single day, even on a Monday evening in January. Sojubar combines excellent food with sleek aesthetics and vibrant entertainment, creating a relaxed atmosphere that has generated a massive social media presence and led to huge popularity largely through word-of-mouth. Not only that, but it also has exceptional operational prowess and genuine passion that is sure to be beneficial to any prospective franchisees.”

Investment breakdown