South Korea’s premium ice cream brand plans 50 franchised outlets as it leverages OURHOME’s logistics network to accelerate expansion.
South Korean premium ice cream brand Benson is targeting 100 stores by the end of 2027 as it prepares to enter the franchise business under a new partnership with foodservice company OURHOME. The expansion plan includes 50 company-owned outlets and 50 franchised stores, marking a shift in the brand’s growth strategy less than two years after its launch.
Benson’s operating company, Better Scoop Creamery, completed its franchise registration with South Korea’s Fair Trade Commission and plans to begin recruiting franchisees in the first half of 2027. The initial expansion will focus on major commercial districts in Seoul and the wider metropolitan area, with regional expansion expected to begin in 2028.
The franchise push follows a business transfer agreement signed between Better Scoop Creamery and OURHOME on 22 October 2026. The deal, reportedly valued at 36 billion won (approximately US$27 million), covers the assets, liabilities, contracts and licences associated with the ice cream business. Benson is expected to become part of OURHOME’s business division in November.
Launched in May 2025 in Seoul’s Apgujeong Rodeo district, Benson was developed under Hanwha Galleria’s business portfolio and has since expanded to 27 locations. The brand has added 19 stores during 2026, building its presence in key commercial areas as it prepares to scale through franchising.
The company has reported encouraging early sales at its newer outlets. Eight street-front stores opened since June 2026, including locations in Banpo, Mokdong, Seohyeon and near Seoul National University Station, recorded average first-month sales of nearly 100 million won per store, approximately 26% above the comparable average for eight stores opened in the previous year. Across 16 outlets opened during 2026 that had operated for at least a month, average first-month sales were reportedly around 13% higher than those of the previous year’s new stores.
OURHOME’s distribution infrastructure is expected to play a central role in supporting Benson’s expansion. Its nationwide logistics network and cold-chain capabilities could help maintain product quality and delivery consistency as the brand adds franchised locations. The partnership may also create opportunities to introduce Benson products through OURHOME-operated outlets at airports, shopping complexes and highway rest stops, alongside institutional catering and food ingredient distribution channels.
The companies are also exploring opportunities to connect Benson with Gourmet de Galleria, Hanwha Galleria’s premium foodservice brand, for potential food and beverage services in residential community facilities. These initiatives could extend the brand beyond standalone ice cream shops, although the proposed distribution channels have not yet been confirmed as full-scale rollouts.
For Benson, franchising offers a route to expand its retail footprint while sharing the costs and operational responsibilities of opening new stores with franchise partners. However, the company has not publicly established detailed franchise investment requirements, initial fees, royalty rates or store-size specifications in the information available for the announcement.
The planned expansion will test Benson’s ability to translate its early retail growth into a scalable franchise model. With 27 locations already operating and a target of 100 stores by the end of 2027, the brand is positioning OURHOME’s logistics and foodservice capabilities as key components of its next stage of growth.
