Buchang Confectionery, known for its 'Lee Jang-woo walnut cake', will also land in Suwon on the 7th, following Seoul and Daegu.
According to the industry on the 6th, the walnut cake brand Buchang Confectionery will open at the Shinsegae Starfield store in Suwon on February 7.
Buchang Confectionery is a walnut cake brand created in collaboration with FG, a food content company co-planned by actor Lee Jang-woo and KBS entertainment program 'Popup Landing Operation.'
Lee Jang-woo, known for being a character who cooks well in entertainment programs including 'I Live Alone,' has taken on desserts after operating a udon shop and a soup restaurant.
The brand story also contributed to its popularity. Buchang Confectionery started selling walnut cakes and traditional bread in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, 60 years ago before closing down in the 1990s.
Then, the founder's grandson, Lee Kyung-won, head of FG, and Lee Jang-woo joined hands to 'revive the brand.' Old photos and posters of the former Buchang Confectionery stores can also be seen throughout the store.
The response has been enthusiastic. Shortly after opening on the basement level 1 of Shinsegae Department Store in Gangnam last October, people lined up for up to four hours. After opening in December at Shinsegae Department Store in Daegu, 1 million pieces were sold within a month.
Buchang Confectionery opened its first store in the dessert specialty section 'Sweet Park' at Shinsegae Gangnam last October and its second store at Shinsegae Daegu in December of the same year. The Daegu store continued the success from Seoul, selling 1 million walnut cakes within just a month of opening.
Buchang Confectionery plans to open its third official store at Starfield Suwon in Suwon City, Gyeonggi Province, on the 7th of next month and aims to expand to about 10 locations primarily in major domestic areas by the first half of next year. They are also preparing to enter Japan in the second half of this year.
Lee Kyung-won, head of FG, noted, 'We are discussing entry into major national department stores and large domestic distribution channels and are in talks about opening stores in department stores and shopping malls in Japan next year. If possible, we plan to open a store in a major Japanese department store as early as this coming second half of the year. Additionally, we will actively consider overseas expansion plans, including in the United States.' He added, 'We also plan to establish a Buchang Confectionery scholarship fund based in the Gyeongju area to repay customer love.'