Kyochon F&B "Introducing Chicken Cooking Robots at US Direct-Run Stores Within the Year"

Two California Stores Receive Three 'Neuromeka' Models
Improved Version Reflecting Feedback from Domestic Users
Expected to Enhance Store Operation Efficiency Including Labor Cost Reduction

Kyochon F&B, the operator of Kyochon Chicken, announced on the 24th that it plans to introduce chicken cooking robots this year at two directly operated stores in California, USA: the Mid-Wilshire store (No. 1) and the Rowland Heights store (No. 3).

Kyochon Chicken's First Directly Managed Store in the U.S., Mid-Wilshire Branch
[Photo by Kyochon F&B]

According to the Global Americas & New Business Division's Americas Operations Development Team at Kyochon F&B, the Mid-Wilshire store in the US has ordered two cooking robots, and the Rowland Heights store has ordered one. Installation and mass production testing are expected to take place as early as this year. The ordered robots are newly released improved models. The company explained that overall software functions have been updated to enhance convenience, including customized motion settings for kitchen workflow and cooking situations, as well as remote access.

They also actively improved inconveniences reported by franchise owners regarding the existing model, such as equipping the 'gripper' that lifts and moves the frying basket with a position detection sensor.

Previously, in 2021, Kyochon signed a business agreement with the robot manufacturing company Neuromeka and developed a dedicated chicken cooking robot for Kyochon Chicken capable of performing proprietary recipes for signature menu items, including the first frying, piece shaping (removing unnecessary fried crumbs attached to chicken pieces), and second frying. This was aimed at automating franchise store cooking and improving operational efficiency. As of this month, the robot has been introduced and is in use at six franchise stores in Seoul and the metropolitan area, including the Kyochon Education Research & Development (R&D) Center 'Jeonggugwan' in Osan, Gyeonggi-do.

A Kyochon F&B official stated, "The cooking robot can provide chicken with consistent taste and quality, help prevent safety accidents that may occur during the cooking process, and improve store operation efficiency. Especially in California, USA, where the hourly wage approaches 30,000 KRW, we expect significant labor cost savings."