BBQ Chicken of Genesis BBQ Group, South Korea’s largest chicken franchise, topped a fast-food chicken ranking in the United States conducted by American food magazine “Taste of Home.”

The announcement is particularly significant as BBQ Chicken beat several global chicken franchises, including the well-established KFC, for the title form the U.S. publication, the Korean fried chicken franchise said on Monday.

BBQ was followed by Checkers, Chick-fil-A, KFC, Papa John‘s, Raising Cane’s, and Wingstop.

Taste of Home sampled fried chicken from seven fast-food chicken restaurants across the United States to rank BBQ Chicken as the best. The magazine’s influence on the food industry is substantial, with its readership at 1.9 million and an average monthly website traffic of 20 million visits since its establishment in 1993.

The magazine described BBQ Chicken as tender and juicy, while also highlighting its ability to provide a delightful taste with a perfect balance of moistness and crispiness.

BBQ Chicken not only claimed the title of the best overall chicken but also nabbed the top position in the wings category among 10 renowned chicken brands. The wings were praised for their juiciness, crispy coating, and a subtle spicy flavor that entices customers to take another bite.

“It is truly meaningful to surpass several global chicken franchises and capture the top spot in the United States. We will continue to strive and work hard to be recognized as the world’s best chicken brand representing Korea’s unique flavors,” a BBQ Chicken spokesperson said.

With over 700 branches operating in 57 countries, including the United States, Canada, Panama, Costa Rica, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Vietnam, BBQ Chicken has made its mark globally. The success follows its recognition in the United States in September 2023 by QSR Magazine and being selected as the “fastest-growing restaurant brand in the United States” by Nation’s Restaurant News. Notably, BBQ is the only Korean brand that has consistently ranked among the top names for three consecutive years after venturing overseas.

By Ahn Byung-joon and Minu Kim

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business News Korea & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]