The Korean company’s first overseas outlet has reopened after refurbishment and will provide its Moonbear craft brews to customers for the first time in the United States.
Kyochon Chicken, one of South Korea’s largest fried-chicken franchises operated by Kyochon F&B, has reopened its Los Angeles Mid-Wilshire branch after a seven-month renovation. The outlet, originally launched in 2007 as Kyochon’s first overseas store, has been redesigned as a flagship model combining automated operations and new product offerings.
The relaunched restaurant adopts the “Kyochon House” format, which incorporates traditional Korean design elements with modern features. Interior highlights include a large brush sculpture representing the company’s brand philosophy of authenticity and sincerity, and LED installations that display Kyochon’s sauces and core ingredients. The concept is based on the company’s “Pilbang” studio in Itaewon, Seoul.
The Mid-Wilshire branch is also the first in the United States to serve Moonbear, Kyochon’s premium craft beer brand. Automated beer dispensers and robot servers have been installed alongside automated fryers and dishwashing systems, intended to improve consistency and reduce operating costs. These changes form part of the company’s plan to promote the country’s “K-ChiMaek” culture which combines serving Korean fried chicken with craft beer.
Kyochon acquired Moonbear in 2021 as part of its diversification strategy. The brand produces several beers, including the 1991 Lager, Sauvin Blanc IPA and Moscato Sweet Ale. Its Deep Night Pale Ale won a Country Winner award for Korea at the 2024 World Beer Awards. Despite the accolades, however, Kyochon has reported financial losses in its craft beer division due to weaker-than-expected synergies with its core fried-chicken business.
The Mid-Wilshire outlet had closed in mid-2025 for refurbishment. The company said the reopening is intended as both a symbolic relaunch of its first overseas branch and a testbed for future global store formats.
Kyochon currently operates more than 80 overseas outlets across seven countries, with stores in the United States, China and Southeast Asia. Management has indicated that the Mid-Wilshire branch will act as a model for further US expansion.
