The Gumi No. 1 store is the spiritual home of KYOCHON F&B. It holds special significance as it was started by founder Kwon Won-gang. It has become a must-visit tourist destination among visitors to Gumi.

Kang Chang-dong, head of the communication institutional sector at KYOCHON F&B, noted during a press conference held on the 20th at the 'KYOCHON Fried Chicken No. 1 store' in Songjeong-dong, Gumi City, that, "It took a year to develop a menu that can only be tasted at the No. 1 store in order to attract more visitors to the culture street created in partnership with Gumi City, which contains KYOCHON's management philosophy and history."

KYOCHON F&B founder Kwon Won-gang first fries chicken at the Gumi No. 1 store, which features a specialized menu only available at this location. KYOCHON F&B plans to use this site as a memorial hall to convey the management philosophy and history of the KYOCHON Group and as a tourist landmark in Gumi. /Courtesy of KYOCHON F&B and reporter Min Young-bin

KYOCHON F&B's Gumi No. 1 store is where Kwon Won-gang, the founder of the KYOCHON F&B Group, first ventured into the chicken business at the age of 40 on March 13, 1991. Considering the heritage (Heritage) value of the No. 1 store, KYOCHON F&B renovated it as a place to convey its management philosophy and history.

Research and development are ongoing for specialized menu items that can only be eaten at the No. 1 store, including KYOCHON's signature 'sauce brushing' chicken, Ggoobun (a Gyeongsangdo dialect for 'grilled') tteokbokki, onion flower fried, and chireungji. This is in order to draw the footsteps of tourists visiting Gumi.

Lim Yeong-hwan, head of the digital innovation department at KYOCHON F&B's domestic business division, explained, "The current interior retains the look of the store from 10 years ago, which is the image of the No. 1 store that Gumi residents remember," adding that "the history and timeline of KYOCHON have also been renovated."

Various contents and sculptures prepared along the KYOCHON History and Culture Road in Gyochon 1991 Cultural Street. /Reporter Min Young-bin

KYOCHON F&B, in collaboration with Gumi City, has also created a culture street 'KYOCHON 1991 Road' that stretches approximately 500 meters from the Gumi Intercity Bus Terminal to Dong-A Department Store. Since KYOCHON's origins (初心) are in Gumi, the goal is to contribute to local tourism activation as part of the Gumi City tourism resource project.

There were sculptures installed, each embodying a different concept. A notable area is the 'KYOCHON History and Culture Road.' This street, which connects the KYOCHON Fried Chicken No. 1 store to the terminal intersection, features ▲ a sculpture of a delivery car reduced in size by 50% ▲ a sculpture containing founder Kwon's quotes, illustrations of the first appearance of the No. 1 store, and the KYOCHON Fried Chicken logo ▲ a mural of KYOCHON's signature 'brushing' ▲ a public phone booth that contains the promotional episode of the No. 1 store's 114 phone line.

Additionally, Gumi residents have also focused on ensuring that the space can be comfortably used in their daily lives. The 'Chimaek Park,' transformed from an abandoned green space, has become a resting area for residents, featuring the character of the craft beer brand 'Moonbear' and pebble benches. Benches shaped like KYOCHON brushes and egg-shaped bus stops have been installed on the 'KYOCHON Gumi Road' and 'Sauce Road.'

The KYOCHON Gumi Road prepared in collaboration with Gumi City in KYOCHON 1991 Cultural Street. Murals and other attractions of Gumi City are depicted here. Additionally, installations like benches, bus stops, and convenience facilities are named after KYOCHON's identity elements such as brush strokes or sauces. /Reporter Min Young-bin

According to last month's population distribution in Gumi City, the population of the Songjeong-dong area where the KYOCHON Fried Chicken No. 1 store is located is 23,299. Among them, the elderly population aged 65 and older is 4,196, accounting for 18%. Given the higher number of older residents, KYOCHON F&B explained that they have created many spaces where people can rest along the culture street. Resident Choi Ok-soon (72), met at the egg-shaped bus stop, said, "It's nice that there are many places to rest, in addition to the bus stop bench," adding, "I have knee problems, and sometimes I struggle walking, but the paths have been nicely organized, making it easier to walk."

Apart from that, KYOCHON F&B and Gumi City have improved the stairs and old restrooms of the apartments in Ubang Town for the safety and convenience of residents. They have also repaired the underpass and replaced the lighting to ensure safe passage through the dark underpass at night.

KYOCHON F&B plans to continue its activities in harmony with the local community through the No. 1 store and the culture street. Head of Team Lim Yeong-hwan said, "(As a population decline area) we are also planning and reviewing win-win programs to support and sponsor Gumi's youth. We plan to negotiate and develop a local contribution platform with Gumi City," adding, "We will also work hard to develop food and beverage menus that can be tasted only at the Gumi No. 1 store using locally grown produce like melons, to make it a landmark of Gumi."

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