Working with Jin Kyoung C.Ltd (JK Co), the partnership will begin with Ramsay bringing his premium Gordon Ramsay Burger brand to the country, launching in Seoul’s Lotte World Mall in December.
Kim Ok-sang, CEO of JK Co, predicts that the growth of the premium burger market in Korea will be hugely positive in the future.
“Gordon Ramsay Burger is based on the brand identity of the most British original hamburger along with a localization strategy that considers the taste of Koreans," he says.
"Through partnership with Gordon Ramsay, JK Co will manualize all the key elements of the business, such as menu, taste, service, and operating system, and continue and inherit the brand’s unique values.
"We will gradually expand and lead the food service category into the Korean market.”
The move reflects Ramsay's ambition to 'create a billion-dollar dining proposition', which last year was revealed to be undented by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ramsay is currently ramping up expansion in the UK, particularly in the capital, with a particular focus on growing his Street Burger, Street Pizza and Bread Street brands.
Further global expansion has also been mooted in North America, Dubai and Macau in the last year.
"Korea is at the forefront of a very cool culinary movement where traditional delicacies and modern gastronomy meet Michelin starred cooking and sit side by side with the iconic street food dishes of fried chicken and kimbap," says Ramsay of the new plans.
"It’s an amazing and an inspiring place to eat out. We have so many ideas to bring to life through this new partnership with the team at JK Co, and I cannot wait to get going.”
Gordon Ramsay Burger's first UK outpost opened in Harrods late last year, the concept having originally established in Las Vegas nearly a decade ago.
