Korean Job Discussion Forums

[wylies99]

Doors still open at Bennigan�s Korea

http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2894004

Shamrocks, the trademark symbol of Ireland, have many connections to Bennigan�s Grill and Tavern, which specializes in casual dining. Possibly indebted to the good luck charm, the restaurant flourished like grass across the United States in the 1990s.

But three decades after its birth, Bennigan�s problem is a lack of green. S&A Restaurant Corp., Bennigan�s mother company, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on July 29. S&A Restaurant belongs to Metromedia Restaurant Group.

However, good luck is still rubbing off on Bennigan�s Korea, which started business in 1995.

�I would say the American bankruptcy has had virtually no impact on Bennigan�s Korea,� said Chi Ji-chang, a senior analyst with Tong Yang Securities. �The business shutdown in the mother country has rather served as a propeller for Bennigan�s Korea to step up efforts to distinguish itself from other franchise restaurants.�

Jung, Yeon-tae, vice president of marketing and new business development for riseON Inc., owner of Bennigan�s Korea, said the Korean chain has some distance from its American counterpart.

�We made the franchising deal with Bennigan�s Franchising Company (BFC), so the bankruptcy of S&A Restaurant Corp. has no relation to the Korean unit of Bennigan�s,� Jung said. Bennigan�s Franchising Company said in a recent statement that franchisee-owned Bennigan�s will not be affected by the filing in America. The Associated Press reported in July that there are 138 franchisee-owned Bennigan�s worldwide. The around 150 restaurants owned by S&A Restaurant Corp will be closed, AP reported.

�I think Bennigan�s is different [from other chains] in that I know the food is healthy and not all grease-filled like other diners. That�s why I regularly come here for lunch,� said Chung, a 42-year-old housewife who wished only to be identified by her surname. She was on a visit to Bennigan�s Dogok branch in southern Seoul last week.

To make itself more independent of its American counterpart, Bennigan�s Korea has revamped its menu originating from the traditional American/Irish fare. �The Bennigan�s executives in America failed to update and evolve the restaurant concept over 20 years,� Jung said, �which I believe led to significant sales and customer visit declines.�

Menus that have been developed by the Korean unit include items such as Tex-Mex Seafood Rice, Triple Combo Steak and Seafood Tomato Pasta, which are not found in any other countries. Bennigan�s Korea also carries the traditional Bennigan�s menu items such as Southwest Sampler and the Monte Cristo sandwich.

�I always come for Tex-Mex Seafood Rice. The menu is so unique and addictive,� said Kim Ji-eun, a 16-year-old high school student. She described herself as a loyal customer at Bennigan�s Apgujeong branch in Seoul�s most trendy district. The Mexican-style fried rice mixes some Korean features with chili spice and comes with an extra side dish of kimchi.

Bennigan�s Korea last year introduced a brand-new concept focused on the so-called �well-being trend� that has been sweeping the nation in the past years. RiseON also acquired a fusion Korean restaurant chain, Market O, at the end of 2006 and they are attached to Bennigan�s outlets to create a �slim dining� brand image.

�By working with well-being, organic food brand Market O and launching new low-calorie, low-cholesterol level menus, we have been earning double the income that we did with Bennigan�s alone,� said Bennigan�s Korea in a statement. �It probably works well with the well-being trend among Korean diners, along with the boom of organic foods.�

This article was written with the assistance of JoongAng Daily staff reporter Seo Ji-eun.


By Lee Doyeon Intern Reporter [[email protected]]

[RJjr]

Thanks for the article. I had read on www.dollarcollapse.com about Bennigan's going bankrupt and was wondering if the ones in Korea were affected. It's good to read that they used it as a positive instead of a negative. I ate at the one just south of the Olympic Park last summer and I'm glad it's still around.

[bobbyhanlon]

[wylies99]

[Scotticus]

[pkang0202]

I bet you a stoner created that sandwich.

In fact, i'm willing to bet that most delicious foods are the end result of a case of "munchies".

[Jandar]

Went to Bennigan's for my third time since coming to Korea.

Each time got progressively worse.

First time was fine no complaints.

Second time the folks next to me ordered that fusion tex mex crap,
sorry but one of the reasons I go to Bennigan's is so I can eat something
without the rancid sour stench of squid permeating the air.

The last time the service was horrendous, I had to ask for the bread
and it didn't arrive until I was practically finish with my main course.
I had to ask for cream for my coffee by the time the cream arrived
the coffee was cold.

I'd rather eat a McDonald's than Bennigan's.

[IncognitoHFX]

I like Bennigan's. If I was in Canada I wouldn't think it was all that special, but in Korea it feels like a taste of home.

[Underwaterbob]

[billybrobby]

[Jandar]

[KAMAKAZI]

Bennigan's is a rip-off! Overpriced for sure!
Ordered a peppered steak and thats about all I got. Side dishes are bascially nothing. Slice of tomato and VERY small handful of mashed potatoes PATHETIC!

[wylies99]

[NightSky]

seem to be a lot of food snobs on this board. what I don't get is why bennigan's is so bad when all the other waygook hangout joints that might have a western owner get tonguebathed on this site.

if you like it, go. if you don't, don't.