Nov 24, 2025 Overseas Franchise Weekly Briefing

Weekly Briefing · 2025.11.24

Global Foodservice Franchises
Weekly Briefing

This is a weekly briefing on overseas franchises and the foodservice industry for domestic franchisor headquarters. We’ve compiled the latest issues from nine markets—including the United States, China, Japan, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Review these trends to inform your overseas expansion strategy and operational decisions.

Summary: Franchise‑focused ERP FDAM

1. United States – West Coast | Korean fine‑dining concept ‘Hojokban’ launches in LA’s Arts District

The Korean restaurant ‘Hojokban’ has opened in LA’s downtown Arts District. A locally recognized team is delivering a ‘modern Korean’ concept that blends Korean‑style courses with a bar menu. Its presence signals Korean cuisine’s expansion from Koreatown into a prime downtown market.

This case confirms that Korean and Asian casual dining is becoming a natural choice for mainstream consumers on the U.S. West Coast.

2. East Coast, USA | 120‑year‑old institution Jack's Oyster House re‑launches as a multi‑brand group

Based on the 120‑year‑old Jack's Oyster House in Oyster Bay, New York, the operator is reorganizing as Jack's Restaurant Group, a multi‑brand dining portfolio. By consolidating steak, seafood, and casual‑dining concepts under one umbrella, the group aims to boost operational efficiency and expand beyond its home market.

The trend of traditional restaurants in major Eastern cities forming brand groups, adopting corporate structures, and moving toward equity‑investment and holding‑company models is reaffirmed.

3. China | Sibei (西貝) cuts all menu prices by up to 20% after pre‑cook controversy

Sibei, a restaurant chain operating about 400 locations in China, decided to lower every menu item by 5‑20% following backlash over its use of pre‑cooked (預製菜) ingredients. Consumers had criticized the cost‑saving pre‑cook approach as excessive, leading to sales declines and store closures, prompting the brand to take decisive action.

At the same time, the chain is raising staff wages and reshaping its supply chain to project a "win‑win" image. In a market where price sensitivity is soaring, even large chains are overhauling pricing, supply‑chain, and marketing strategies to rebuild brand trust.

4. Japan | Burger King Japan slated for a ¥70 billion sale to Goldman Sachs… after a Hong‑Kong fund quadrupled in value and exited

Hong Kong‑based private equity fund Affinity Equity Partners, which owns the Burger King Japan business, is reported to be negotiating a sale to Goldman Sachs for about 70 billion yen. Affinity secured the Burger King Japan master franchise in 2017, then expanded company‑owned and franchise locations from fewer than 80 to over 300 stores, grew revenue to the 300 billion‑yen range, and is now seeking an exit.

The deal illustrates a repeat of the "PE‑fund franchise value‑maximization → sale" model in Japan’s QSR market, suggesting accelerated M&A activity for other restaurant brands.

5. France | "Burger Tax" debate targets large fast‑food franchises

France’s parliament is debating a "burger tax" (taxe burger) that would add levies on high‑calorie fast‑food combos such as burgers and sodas. Major chains like McDonald’s and Burger King are leading the opposition. The French franchise association argues the tax unfairly singles out franchised outlets while exempting independent restaurants, calling it discriminatory.

Proponents cite revenue growth and public‑health benefits, but critics warn the measure could hurt youth employment and peripheral‑area economies. It may be an early indicator of broader European regulation targeting large restaurant franchises.

6. Taiwan | Government‑led "Smart Restaurant × AI Commercial Service Forum"

Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs, Commercial Development Division, hosted a "Smart Restaurant × AI Commercial Service Ecosystem Forum" and shared AI adoption strategies for the entire food‑service sector. Major restaurant groups such as Taiwan Chain Franchise Promotion Association and Hanrae Gourmet, along with startups, presented use cases like AI‑driven demand forecasting, smart ordering, inventory and order optimization, and chatbot customer service.

The government announced quantitative targets—over 20% labor‑efficiency gains, more than 10% sales growth, and at least a 7% reduction in food‑cost loss—by deploying AI, and said it will push both policy and field pilots simultaneously. This signals a shift toward support measures that demand AI‑enabled metrics beyond basic POS and ERP systems.

7. Singapore | "Asia White Knight" acquires Creative Eateries… aims for S$100 M revenue within five years

Local Singapore F&B group Creative Eateries was acquired by franchise‑investment specialist Asia White Knight Group. Creative Eateries, a mid‑size chain with 13 brands—including Suki‑Ya, Bangkok Jam, and Typhoon Cafe—and a catering arm, targets S$100 million in sales within five years post‑acquisition.

The new operator plans to leverage its experience with the Joe & Dough coffee franchise to launch an integrated membership and loyalty program, cross‑brand promotions, and data‑driven operational efficiencies. A platform‑style player that combines multi‑brand F&B expertise with franchise know‑how is also emerging across Southeast Asia.

8. Vietnam | Mixue continues aggressive store expansion with low‑price strategy

Chinese low‑price ice‑cream and tea brand Mixue is rapidly adding locations in Vietnam, becoming a buzz‑worthy player in the local F&B scene. Its ultra‑affordable pricing, aggressive rollout, and youthful brand image are driving dense store networks even in smaller provincial cities.

Some local café and dessert concepts are struggling with rent and cost pressures while competing on price with Mixue, and in certain districts the market is seeing “two or three Mixue outlets per block.” Although Chinese franchise expansion in Southeast Asia seemed to slow, the format’s adaptation and renewed growth are noteworthy.

9. Philippines | "Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill" launches tasting menu to celebrate Michelin Guide listing

Manila’s Gordon Ramsay Bar & Grill, located in the Metro Pasay area, unveiled a new tasting menu to mark its inclusion in the Michelin Guide Manila. The menu, crafted by Chef Gordon Ramsay’s team, blends Filipino local ingredients with the classic British steak‑house style.

Although priced at a premium, the offering targets Manila’s affluent consumers and tourists, positioning the brand as a "global chef brand + trendy local hospitality" and reinforcing the city’s fine‑dining hub reputation.

This Week’s Summary

In the past seven days, the global foodservice and franchise markethas been driven by three key themes: regulation, M&A, and digital transformation.These three keywords compress the story. France's "burger tax" debate illustrates a trend toward tighter regulations targeting large franchises. At the same time, Japan and Singapore see active M&A that combine financial and operational capabilities, such as the acquisitions of Burger King and Creative Eateries. Taiwan is rolling out AI‑based smart restaurant policies.

In China and Vietnam, where price sensitivity has surged, chains like Sibey and MixU are revising their pricing and outlet strategies.