Yoon Hong-geun, Chairman of Genesis BBQ Group, has been awarded the Korea Mid-sized Business CEO Award for his efforts in promoting franchise cooperation and achieving global business success.
BBQ announced on May 18 that Yoon received the award at the 2026 Spring Conference of the Korean Management Association, held on May 15 at the Seoul Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The Korea Mid-sized Business CEO Award is presented to exemplary small and medium-sized business leaders who have demonstrated a successful model from startup to growth. Recipients are selected based on evaluations by the Korean Management Association's selection committee, which considers ethical entrepreneurship, management philosophy, industry competitiveness, expansion achievements, transparent management, and social responsibility.
Since its founding in 1995, Yoon has been recognized for establishing a cooperative franchise model, pioneering global markets, and fulfilling social responsibilities, thereby guiding the growth of Korea's restaurant franchise industry.
BBQ has implemented a structure that involves franchise owners in discussions about brand policies, marketing, and new menu development through its operating and partnership committees. The company has also been praised for standardizing training in cooking, hygiene, and service through its Chicken University, enhancing the competitiveness of the franchise industry.
As of May, BBQ has expanded to 57 countries worldwide, leading the globalization of K-Chicken. The company has invested in operational efficiency through an ERP-based management system, its own logistics management system, and smart kitchen technologies, contributing to the stability of franchise operations.
Yoon's ongoing community support initiatives, disaster recovery efforts, and assistance for vulnerable groups have also been highlighted as significant achievements.
Yoon stated, "This award is a meaningful recognition of BBQ's efforts and growth alongside our family over the past 30 years. We will continue to contribute to creating a sustainable franchise industry ecosystem based on cooperation and innovation."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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