Dae Gee Korean BBQ is headed to the East Coast. The Denver-based Korean barbeque concept, known for progressively blending Korean food tradition with American culture, has signed a franchise agreement for the development of a single restaurant in New Hampshire.
The agreement has been signed with local entrepreneur Vimean Pen, who possesses extensive experience in the retail and real estate industries. Though a lease has yet to be signed, Pen is eyeing Nashua and the surrounding area for potential sites.
“Almost immediately after I began exploring franchise ownership opportunities, I was drawn to Dae Gee Korean BBQ,” says Pen. “I love Korean food and the Korean BBQ experience, and want to bring that experience to others in my community. I have no doubt Dae Gee gives me the best chance to leave the community well fed with culture and top quality home recipe style Korean food.”
Founded in 2012, Dae Gee’s rise in popularity began in 2015, when the chain was featured on restaurateur Guy Fieri’s long-running food reality television series, “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” Fieri said of Dae Gee, “This isn’t just any Korean restaurant. This one’s off the hook!”
Today, Dae Gee, meaning “pig” in Korean, exposes customers to an interactive experience that allows them to cook their own meat on grill tops at their tables when they dine. Customers have the option to choose from a variety of traditional Korean meats like Galbee (Beef Shot Ribs), Sam Gyeob Sal (Sliced Pork Belly) and Dak Bulgogi (Chicken), which are marinated in DAE GEE’s secret marinade. Each choice meat, as well as fish and vegetarian options, can be enjoyed in a bowl, hot stone pot, or tucked inside lettuce and eaten as a wrap. Entrees can be piled high with your choice of side or mixings, including rice, fresh slaw, spicy sauce and a variety of nine side dishes, such as kimchee, broccoli, radish and fish cakes.
“Dae Gee lights up your senses and enriches the full human experience,” adds Pen.
“Since we began franchising, Dae Gee has made great strides in expanding to new markets across the country and this is another incredible milestone for the brand,” adds Dae Gee founder Joseph Kim. “We’re thrilled to welcome Vimean to the Dae Gee family and look forward to opening our first restaurant on the East Coast.”
The announcement comes at a time when Dae Gee is aggressively looking to expand its footprint with new franchisees across the United States. With five corporate-owned restaurants serving throngs of customers throughout Colorado’s Front Range, Dae Gee plans to open as many as 5-10 new restaurants nationwide over the next 12 months and at least that many each year thereafter.
To date, development agreements have also been signed in Indiana, South Dakota and Texas.
