The Habit Burger Grill (Nasdaq: HABT) is setting its sights on South Korea as the next international growth target as the burger-centric restaurant concept continues its steady march abroad. To support its expansion plans, The Habit has partnered with the experienced business development consulting firm, Bridging Culture Worldwide to attract multi-unit franchise development companies.
“South Korea, with its savvy consumers, open minded culture and interest in global brands is an ideal marketplace for The Habit Burger Grill’s expansion,” said John Phillips, The Habit Burger Grill’s Chief Global Business Partnership Officer. “The people of South Korea appreciate quality food and enjoy the fast-casual experience. We look forward to working with Bridging Culture Worldwide to find the right franchise partner to ensure our mutual success.”
The Habit Burger Grill’s entry into the South Korea marks the next phase in a larger international expansion plan. Bridging Culture Worldwide will help The Habit lead its expansion into the broader Asia-Pacific region. The consulting, strategic planning and market entry service is excited to join this venture.
“South Korea has embraced premium Western brands and The Habit Burger Grill delivers exactly what consumers are seeking – great food and excellent service. With their distinctive fresh off the grill Charburger and hand-crafted sandwiches, fresh salads and other menu items, we know South Korea will appreciate all that The Habit Burger Grill has to offer,” said Don Southerton, Bridging Culture Worldwide’s Founder and CEO.
Better burgers are just the beginning at The Habit where the menu also includes hand-cut salads, grilled sandwiches including line-caught, sushi grade ahi tuna, fresh chicken, and hand-filleted marinated grilled tri-tip, and sides including onion rings, sweet potato and French fries, and tempura green beans. Guests can choose from a variety of peppers, lemons, limes, and sauces at a complimentary condiment bar to customize the flavor of their meal. The Habit Restaurants, Inc. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, The Habit Burger Grill is a burger-centric, fast casual restaurant concept that specializes in preparing fresh, made-to-order chargrilled burgers and handcrafted sandwiches featuring USDA choice tri-tip, grilled chicken and sushi-grade ahi tuna cooked over an open flame. In addition, it features fresh made-to-order salads and an appealing selection of sides, shakes and malts. The Habit was named the "best tasting burger in America" in July 2014 in a comprehensive survey conducted by one of America's leading consumer magazines. The first Habit opened in Santa Barbara, California in 1969 and was most recently named the winner of USA Today’s 10Best in Regional Fast Food. The Habit has since grown to over 265 restaurants in 12 states throughout Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, Maryland, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, and Washington as well as six international locations. More information is available at www.habitburger.com.
About Bridging Culture Worldwide Founded by Don Southerton, Bridging Culture Worldwide provides targeted market entry, strategy, and consulting to Korea-based global businesses as well as support for major western firms entering Korea.
With a life-long interest in Korea and the rich culture of the country, Southerton has researched and authored numerous publications with topics centering on the creative culture lifestyle, the Korean auto industry, new urbanism, entrepreneurialism, and U.S.-Korean business ventures.
Southerton has been a contributor to The Economist, Branding in Asia, Automotive News, the BBC, CNN Fortune, Korea Times, Yonhap, Korea Herald, tbs eFM, Wall Street Journal, and Forbes. To learn more, go to www.bridgingculture.com.
By Don Southerton, BCW Editor New Urbanism: Smart, Sustainable Growth -- Fantasy Vs. Reality Guest Post By Don Southerton As mentioned in a previous Forbes guest article, I live in Belmar, a new urbanism community in Colorado. With today’s global and often virtual workplace, about half my day centers on Korea. Between trips to Seoul and being highly involved in Korea-facing business I’ve long observed Korean trends toward quality of living, green and sustainability. For example, trendy Korean Starbucks asks patrons to separate their trash from hot liquids—not trashing unused coffee with the paper waste—soggy paper is hard to re-cycle. I also support Korean manufacturers like Hyundai and Kia Motors. I see them striving to produce the next generation of green and sustainable cars: Outside the hybrids, eCars, and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV), the materials now used in the assembly of the vehicles are increasingly eco-friendly along with a bold program for the recycli...
Many of us enjoy learning about the culture and traditions of Korea amid an ever-changing society. This week, on February 19, Daeboreum is observed, celebrating the first full moon of the Lunar New Year. BTW, historic mentions of Daeboreum date back to the 1200s. Daeboreum (대보름) literally means “great full moon”. Daeboreum Festival As a cultural observance, Daeboreum is accompanied by tradition, rituals, and foods. As with all cultures, some practices remain more common than others…and there are often variations. That said, in recent years festivals have sought to preserve their traditions. Common practices may include: It's popular to crack nuts (usually peanuts and walnuts) with your teeth, tradition that this will keep your teeth healthy as well as other ills away for the year. People will cross back and forth on the walk bridges in the evening, the belief that it will mak...
Like Hyundai, LG, and Samsung, SK plans to expand into the U.S. market. For example, the SK Group, operator of the nation's largest oil refiner, is bolstering its efforts to secure its presence on the world market with ambitious plans to become a major global player. According the Korea Herald, reinforcing its commitment to branch out from its three core areas of energy, chemicals and mobile telecommunications in the United States, Chairman Chey Tae-won said he believes further expansion into the U.S. market is crucial for the group's globalization plans. "This is going to be a starting point to build up our global business network," said Chey during a February business trip to the US. He formerly spearheaded the group's mobile communications operation and earlier studied economics at Chicago University in the late 1980s. SK set up a resource and international division to oversee all overseas businesses from the beginning of this year. It will also help the compan...
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