CU enters U.S. market with Hawaii expansion
Published on: May 27, 2025
Korean convenience brand sets foot in the North American market for the first time.
BGF Retail, operator of South Korea’s convenience store chain CU, has signed a master franchise agreement to launch in Hawaii, marking its first entry into the U.S. market and fourth international venture.
The deal, finalized with newly formed CU Hawaii, a subsidiary of Hawaiian firm WKF Inc., signals a significant step for BGF Retail as it plants the Korean convenience store flag in the very country where the format was born. The first CU store in Hawaii is set to open in October 2025, with plans for broader expansion across various local markets.
Hawaii was selected for its strong retail potential, thanks to high spending power, a growing number of K-culture enthusiasts, and over 10 million annual tourists, including a significant portion from South Korea. The state’s diverse Asian population and rising popularity of K-food among U.S. millennials and Gen Z also make it fertile ground for CU’s entry.
“This agreement marks our entry into the world’s largest retail market and a new chapter for Korean convenience stores on the global stage. We’re confident CU will show the strength of K-convenience abroad,” said Min Seung-bae, CEO of BGF Retail.
CU currently operates 680 stores abroad across Mongolia, Malaysia, and Kazakhstan, and is aiming to reach 500 locations in each country by the end of the decade.
