Overview
GS25 is a South Korean convenience-store brand operated by GS Retail, part of the GS Group. Its stores sell ready-to-eat meals, snacks, drinks, groceries and household necessities, alongside services that vary by location. The chain competes through accessibility, product development and a distribution network designed to replenish small stores frequently. Franchising is central to its domestic business.
The format serves shoppers making short, frequent visits rather than large weekly grocery purchases. Office workers, students and residents are important customer groups, although demand differs substantially between districts. Prepared meals, private-label products and exclusive collaborations help distinguish GS25 from nearby competitors. For franchisees, the proposition combines an established retail system with the practical demands of managing a local, service-intensive business.
History and growth
The chain began in 1990 under the name LG25, with its first store in Seoul. It adopted the GS25 name in 2005 following the separation of GS Group from LG Group. The change preserved the convenience-store operation while establishing its identity within a different corporate group. GS25 subsequently became one of the leading names in South Korea’s expanding convenience-retail sector.
Growth has involved more than opening additional outlets. The chain has developed its own food ranges, strengthened logistics and introduced digital tools supporting customer engagement and store operations. Its evolution reflects broader changes in Korean shopping habits, including demand for convenient meals and smaller purchases. International expansion followed later, with entry into Vietnam in 2018 and Mongolia in 2021 through local partnerships.
Global footprint
GS25 had around 18,000 stores across three countries as of the end of 2023, including approximately 17,400 in South Korea. Vietnam and Mongolia accounted for the overseas network. These dated figures provide a useful reference point rather than a live store count: openings, closures and changes in reporting periods can alter the total. South Korea remained overwhelmingly the chain’s largest market.
The overseas businesses use local partners rather than simply reproducing the Korean operation under direct ownership. Vietnam’s launch involved Son Kim Group, while Mongolia’s involved Shunkhlai Group. The brand’s Korean identity can support recognition, but successful operations also require locally relevant prices, merchandise and supply chains. An overseas GS25 opportunity therefore needs to be assessed through the operator responsible for that particular territory.
How the franchise model works
In South Korea, GS25 operates a franchise system in which the retailer provides the brand, merchandise supply, operating systems and support, while franchisees manage individual stores under contract. Responsibilities for premises, equipment and other establishment costs can differ between contract types. The allocation of sales proceeds or gross profit also depends on the arrangement; applicants should not assume a single universal royalty structure.
Day-to-day responsibilities typically include staffing, customer service, stock handling, food safety and maintaining store standards. Ordering decisions and waste control are particularly important where fresh meals and other short-life products form part of the offer. Opening hours, promotional obligations and permitted product choices are contractual matters. Overseas arrangements may differ materially from Korean terms, and an international partnership announcement does not necessarily mean individual franchises are available.
Investment and requirements
There is no single publicly disclosed investment figure that can be applied reliably to every GS25 store or country. Korean recruitment materials may describe particular contract options, but those terms should not be treated as a worldwide price list. Prospective franchisees should request current franchise disclosure documents, the relevant agreement and a detailed schedule of costs from GS Retail or the authorised local operator.
The assessment should distinguish initial payments from deposits, property costs, fit-out, equipment, opening inventory and working capital. Who funds each item can materially change the apparent entry cost. Applicants should also establish how rent, staffing, utilities, payment processing and unsold food are treated. Selection requirements and available sites should be confirmed locally rather than inferred from another franchisee’s experience or an overseas recruitment advertisement.
What franchisees should consider
Location quality matters, but high footfall alone does not establish whether a store will perform well. Nearby competitors, customer spending patterns, rent and the balance between daytime and evening trade all influence operating conditions. A site serving offices may have a different weekly rhythm from one near housing or a university. Prospective operators should examine the assumptions behind any store-level projections.
Convenience retail also requires sustained operational attention. Long opening hours can create significant staffing demands, while prepared food introduces expiry management and waste exposure. Franchisees should understand the contract’s renewal, transfer and termination provisions, as well as how nearby network expansion is handled. Discussions with existing operators can help clarify workload and support quality, although their results cannot establish what a different location will achieve.
Competitive landscape
CU is one of GS25’s closest domestic competitors, with 7-Eleven and Emart24 also prominent in South Korea. These chains compete for suitable sites, franchise operators and customers as well as sales. Product launches, meal quality, loyalty benefits and promotional pricing are visible elements of that contest. A strong national brand does not remove competition between stores within the same neighbourhood.
Overseas, the competitive set changes. In Vietnam, GS25 encounters other organised convenience chains, including Circle K and FamilyMart, alongside traditional shops and food sellers. Mongolia presents a different retail structure, with CU an important convenience-store rival. Across markets, supermarkets, delivery platforms and independent retailers can meet some of the same customer needs. The relevant comparison is therefore broader than convenience-store brands alone.
Outlook
GS25’s prospects rest on maintaining a productive domestic network while developing overseas businesses suited to local conditions. In South Korea’s densely served market, improving product relevance and store operations is important alongside expansion. Ready-to-eat food, differentiated merchandise and connections between physical shops and digital services offer ways to compete, but their value depends on execution and customer demand.
Vietnam and Mongolia provide a wider geographical base, although growth brings requirements for logistics, training and consistent operating standards. For prospective franchisees, the central question is not simply whether the brand is expanding, but whether a specific site and contract provide a workable operating proposition. Current disclosures, local market evidence and a clear understanding of responsibilities are more useful than network size alone.
GS25 franchise: frequently asked questions
How much does a GS25 franchise cost?
There is no single publicly disclosed GS25 investment figure applicable across all store types and countries. Costs depend on the contract, premises and allocation of establishment expenses. Prospective franchisees should request current franchise disclosure documents and an itemised cost schedule from GS Retail or the authorised local operator, including deposits, inventory and working capital requirements.
How many GS25 locations are there?
GS25 had around 18,000 stores across three countries as of the end of 2023. Approximately 17,400 were in South Korea, with the remainder in Vietnam and Mongolia. These are historical reference figures rather than a current total; the latest network size should be checked against GS Retail’s reporting and announcements from its overseas operators.
Who owns GS25 and when was it founded?
GS25 is operated by GS Retail, part of South Korea’s GS Group. The chain started in 1990 as LG25, opening its first store in Seoul. It became GS25 in 2005 following GS Group’s separation from LG Group. Its international operations have developed through partnerships with local businesses.
Can I open a GS25 franchise outside South Korea?
GS25 operates overseas through local partnerships, with stores in Vietnam and Mongolia as well as South Korea as of 2023. Availability of individual franchises depends on the territory and local operator’s recruitment policy. Applicants should contact the authorised business in their market; the brand’s presence does not automatically mean franchises or new territorial rights are available.
What support does GS25 provide to franchisees?
The Korean franchise system provides access to the GS25 brand, merchandise supply, operating systems and store support. The precise training, equipment, promotional support and division of responsibilities depend on the contract. Prospective operators should confirm these details in current documents and establish which services are included, which carry costs and how overseas arrangements differ.
Latest GS25 news
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Figures are approximate and based on publicly reported information as of 2023. Franchise costs and terms change; prospective franchisees should obtain the brand’s current disclosure documents and take independent legal and financial advice. Profile updated October 2026.