SEOUL, November 13 (AJP) - South Korea’s largest convenience store operator, BGF Retail, has opened its first American location in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The store opened this week in the popular destination for Asian tourists and home to a sizable Korean community. The launch follows the establishment of BGF Retail Hawaii in May and a master franchise agreement with WKF Inc., a local company that will manage operations under the CU brand. Under the deal, BGF Retail will collect royalties while WKF oversees local management.
The store is situated in a bustling commercial area catering to office workers, hotel guests, and tourists. With the theme “K-Food Meets Aloha,” the location blends Korean convenience store culture with local tastes, offering both imported and locally inspired items.
Among its products are popular Korean snacks and ready-to-eat meals. CU’s menu also emphasizes freshly prepared foods and local favorites such as Spam musubi and loco moco. To meet strong coffee demand, CU partnered with Island Vintage Coffee to offer locally roasted beans and brewed drinks.
BGF Retail plans to expand from its Honolulu flagship to Waikiki Beach and Ala Moana, with a goal of 50 stores within three years.
“CU’s U.S. entry highlights the global appeal of Korean convenience stores and strengthens our role as a K-culture platform,” said Hong Jeong-guk, vice chairman of BGF Retail.
* This article, published by Aju Business Daily, was translated by AI and edited by AJP.
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