Opens in a new tab

FRANCHISE RESALES

Buy a Cupbop Franchise

Cupbop is a fast-casual Korean barbecue chain built around its signature “BBQ in a cup” format: portable servings of steamed rice, noodles and grilled-meat dishes such as bulgogi and dakbop, finished with house sauces graded from mild to hot. Founded in 2013 as a food truck in Salt Lake City by Junghun Song, it has grown into a storefront chain known for bold flavors and simple, kitchen-light operations.

The model runs on compact restaurants of roughly 1,200–2,000 square feet, with a streamlined menu built for fast service; a smaller mobile format is also offered. Operating from a corporate base in Draper, Utah, Cupbop franchises mainly to multi-unit operators and has locations across Utah, Idaho, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Texas and Oklahoma, alongside a large licensed presence in Indonesia.

Cupbop positions itself as the first fast-casual Korean BBQ-in-a-cup concept in the US, and gained national exposure through a Shark Tank investment from Mark Cuban. It began franchising in 2017 and leans on energetic, social-media-led branding and rotating limited-time items such as the Snow Bop.

Latest Resales

  • There are currently no Cupbop resales available
Register your interest

Why buy a Cupbop Franchise?

Buying a Cupbop franchise is a route into the fast-growing Asian fast-casual category with a concept that already has a clear identity. The brand’s portable, kitchen-light format keeps buildout and menu execution simpler than full-service Korean barbecue, and its bold branding and limited-time releases have built a loyal, younger customer following.

The Shark Tank deal with Mark Cuban gave the brand national recognition unusual for a regional chain its size, and its first-mover position in the Korean BBQ-in-a-cup niche is a genuine differentiator. The franchise model is geared toward multi-unit operators, so a resale can offer an established foothold in a territory where brand awareness and operating systems are already in place.

Cupbop Franchise Costs & Information

  • Minimum Qualifications

    • Initial Franchise Fee

      $40,000

    • Initial Investment

      $296,400 - $664,400

    • Net Worth Requirement

      $1,000,000

    • Cash Requirement

      $200,000

  • Royalty

    • Royalty Fee

      6%

  • Training & Support

    • 95 hours on the job training

    • 20.5 hours classroom training

    • Ongoing support

    • Marketing support

Cupbop – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    New franchisees receive structured initial training of 20.5 classroom hours plus 95 hours of on-the-job instruction, including hands-on time at the company's Utah headquarters covering food prep, operations, inventory, safety, customer service and marketing. Owners also get proprietary operating manuals, refresher courses, regular menu updates, ongoing marketing support and field support as units run. Resale buyers should confirm with Cupbop what transfer training and system access are provided to incoming owners and existing staff when ownership changes.

  2. Ideal Owner

    Cupbop is built for experienced, multi-unit restaurant operators rather than first-time owner-operators; its model favors candidates committed to developing several locations within a territory. The brand looks for strong people managers who can recruit and lead teams, hold consistent guest experiences in a high-volume quick-service setting, and bring entrepreneurial drive and energy suited to its playful identity. Direct Korean-food or restaurant experience is not required, but operational discipline, hands-on leadership and genuine enthusiasm for the concept matter most.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    Cupbop's most prominent credibility signal is its Shark Tank investment from Mark Cuban, which raised the brand's national profile. It was named the #1 Food Truck in Utah in 2021 and earned a place on Yahoo's list of the 27 best food trucks in America, reflecting its roots and early popularity. The brand has also drawn attention for rapid expansion across the western US and a strong social-media following. For resale buyers, brand-level recognition should be weighed alongside the specific territory's local reviews, referral sources and community visibility.

  4. Industry / Market

    Cupbop sits in the US fast-casual restaurant market, valued at roughly $48.5 billion in 2025 and projected to grow about 6.4% annually through the mid-2030s (Expert Market Research). Within it, Asian and Korean cuisine has gained ground as K-pop, K-drama and wider interest in Korean culture draw more US diners toward Korean flavors. Fast, portable, value-oriented formats have proved resilient across economic cycles. For resale buyers, local demand depends heavily on location quality, foot traffic and the brand's strength within its specific market.

Learn more about
how to own a Cupbop franchise resale

Please fill out the form below and a Franchise Flippers expert will be in touch with you shortly.

The Franchise Brand Index

This page is part of Franchise Flippers’ independent franchise Index, designed as an educational resource to help potential buyers explore the franchise resale market and compare brands.

Trademark & Affiliation Disclaimer

This website is an independent, informational resource. All trademarks, logos, and brand names displayed are the property of their respective owners and are used solely for identification and educational purposes. Their use does not imply any affiliation with, endorsement by, or sponsorship from the respective trademark holders.