Genesis BBQ chief honored by New Jersey State

Genesis BBQ Group Chairman Yoon Hong-geun, right, poses with New Jersey Sen. Gordon Johnson after receiving the certificate of merit, in Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of Genesis BBQ

By Kim Hyun-bin

Genesis BBQ Group Chairman Yoon Hong-geun received a certificate of merit from the U.S. state of New Jersey.

According to Genesis BBQ, Chairman Yoon received the certificate awarded by the state legislature in recognition of his contributions to the state's economic development and job creation from New Jersey Senator Gordon Johnson, who recently visited Korea.

As of the end of last month, BBQ is operating a total of 14 stores in New Jersey, including Westwood and Edison stores. New Jersey is where Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor as well as BBQ's global headquarters in the U.S. are located.

“By 2030, we will develop BBQ as a representative brand of K-food with the goal of opening 50,000 stores around the world,” said Chairman Yoon.

Last August, Colorado Governor Gerard Polis said BBQ's opening of stores throughout the state is revitalizing the local economy and suggested it should open additional stores at Denver International Airport. In addition, other governors, including the governor of Maryland, have been inviting Yoon to propose the opening of BBQ stores in their states.

Currently, BBQ operates more than 250 stores in more than 20 states in the U.S.