Bonchon Names Chief Development Officer

Bonchon, a Korean fried chicken brand, has named Blas Escarcega its chief development officer. Escarcega has more than two decades of development experience, including 18-plus years spent at Pollo Campero, according to his LinkedIn profile. In his new role, he’ll lead all aspects of franchise development for Bonchon in the U.S.

Blas Escarcega

“Blas is a seasoned, respected development leader who understands how to scale great brands with intention,” says Suzie Tsai, CEO of Bonchon, in the release. “As Bonchon continues to expand into new markets and strengthen our national footprint, his expertise in franchise growth, market analytics, and operator partnerships will be invaluable.”

Bonchon points to its fast-casual prototype, introduced in July 2025, as a key component of its growth strategy. The prototype delivers operational efficiency in a smaller footprint, the brand says. The model features a kitchen-forward layout and streamlined service design in under 2,000 square feet, allowing operators to enter high-demand trade areas with strong unit economics and lower buildout costs. The brand says the prototype allows it to expand flexibly into certain markets across Texas, California, Arizona, Nevada, Florida, the Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee, and the Northeast corridor including New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The prototype also caters to nontraditional venues, including airports, colleges and urban storefronts with tighter real estate constraints.

Bonchon has more than 150 U.S. locations and operates nearly 500 restaurants worldwide.