Kahala Corp Makes Its First Move Into South Korea Quick-service

Kahala Corp, a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based franchisor of eight, quick service restaurant concepts totaling more than 1,000 locations and $450 million in system wide sales, announced today that it has opened its first Great Steak & Potato Company/Surf City Squeeze co-brand in Seoul, South Korea. Now, perhaps for the very first time, residents in Seoul will learn what a genuine Philly Cheesesteak sandwich tastes like! They will also be getting a taste of Great Steak's signature, fresh-cut fries, stuffed baked potatoes, fresh crisp salads and freshly squeezed lemonade. And, with the Surf City Squeeze smoothie concept, the Korean customers will also be introduced to the brand's signature and refreshing Fruit Smoothies. This announcement was made by Kevin Blackwell, chairman and chief executive officer of Kahala Corp, which owns and operates: Great Steak & Potato Co., TacoTime, Samurai Sam's Teriyaki Grill, RANCH 1 Grilled Chicken, Frullati Caf� & Bakery, Rollerz, Wafflo, and Surf City Squeeze. "We are very excited about opening our first Kahala co-brand in South Korea because our company has such a large number of wonderful and dedicated Korean franchisees working for us all across the United States," says Blackwell. "It is great for us to finally have a presence over there in our Korean franchisees' native land." The Great Steak/Surf City Squeeze co-brand in Seoul has actually been designed differently than what is typically found in the U.S. The co-brand in Seoul has been designed as a full-service restaurant concept with waiter service. Perhaps providing a peek of what is to come for Great Steak in the future. Owned by franchisee, Mr. Won Ki Cho, who lives in South Korea, he and his wife first discovered the Great Steak & Potato Company concept when they were vacationing in Southern California and ate at a Great Steak at The Brea Mall. The couple instantly fell in love with the delicious, authentic-tasting Philly Cheesesteak concept and decided to open one up back home. While burgers and pizza have a growing presence in South Korea, the Philly Cheesesteak category is still very underdeveloped, and the Chos wanted to take advantage of that fact. "Opening up this co-brand in South Korea signifies our commitment to expand into the whole Asian Market," says Walter Mejia, President of The Great Steak & Potato Company. "We are privileged to have the opportunity to bring our concept to the Korean community, and coming up in the near future, Kahala Corp plans to expand The Great Steak & Potato Company into Japan and then eventually into China. South Korea was really our first step and gate to the Asian market and abroad." To learn more about Kahala Corp and its eight restaurant concepts, please visit the company website at www.kahalacorp.com

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