No Brand Burger sees 52% rise in female franchisees as low-cost model gains traction

Shinsegae Food's No Brand Burger franchise is consistently adding female operators to its network.

As of last July, the number of female franchise owners running No Brand Burger locations rose 52 percent from a year earlier, Shinsegae Food said Tuesday. Women now account for more than 30 percent of all franchise operators.

The brand's standardized cooking procedures and operating systems have resonated with women considering entrepreneurship. A low-capital franchise model called the compact store, introduced in May last year, has also lowered the barrier to entry. At about 50 square meters, the compact store reduces the upfront investment burden. Its optimized kitchen layout and space efficiency, combined with standardized cooking and store management systems, allow the location to run with a small staff.

Shinsegae Food is also stepping up support to help franchisees run their stores reliably. Through its NBB Academy, the company provides new franchise owners with hands-on training in cooking, service, hygiene and store management. Operational know-how and marketing support continue after a store opens. The number of female franchisees who opened new locations in 2025, the year the compact store launched, doubled from the previous year.

"As high prices, an economic slowdown and rising labor costs increase the burden of startup costs and store operations, there is growing interest in franchise models that require low initial investment and can be run efficiently," a No Brand Burger official said. "We will continue to strengthen practical support — including education, operational know-how and marketing — so that franchisees can run their stores with stability."