Daegu-based franchise company CMC Food is taking steps to become a global representative of “K-food” in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Established in 2016, the company operates several sub-brands, including Chimking, Picnic Road Bento, and Picnic Road Catering. One of its sub-brands, Cheemaking, which launched in 2018, has been actively expanding both domestically and internationally despite the pandemic. The company currently has eight domestic franchisees and five overseas franchisees, including in the United States and Japan, with plans to open more in the coming year.
According to Yoon Min-hwan, CEO of CMK Food, Cheemaking stands out for its taste, affordable prices, and high-end interiors. In addition to its competitive menu offerings, the restaurant also provides a unique cultural experience by allowing customers to watch sports events while enjoying their meals. The company is planning to enter new markets, including the United States, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and the Middle East, with a goal of opening 50 stores, including 15 overseas locations, next year.
Aside from Cheemaking, CMK Food is also focusing on the growth of its Picnic Road Bento and Picnic Road Catering brands, which offer premium bento and VIP banquet food. Picnic Road Catering has been gaining attention through its participation in large conventions, and the company is looking to enhance its flavor and quality through the reinforcement of R&D personnel and participation in domestic and international food fairs. With a new building in Beomul-dong, Suseong-gu, Daegu, equipped with facilities that can produce up to 8,000 bento boxes per day and certified for Smart HACCP, the company is poised for continued growth and success.