SEOUL, Genesis BBQ, a South Korean chicken franchise, said Tuesday it has opened its third outlet in Panama.

Genesis BBQ has opened a total of seven outlets in Panama and Costa Rica since October last year, the company said in a statement.

“The company aims to expand into other Latin American markets by initially focusing on businesses in Panama and Costa Rica,” it said.

It operates more than 2,000 domestic outlets and about 700 overseas stores in 57 countries, including the United States, Canada, Germany, Japan and Taiwan.

In other efforts to strengthen its presence overseas, Genesis BBQ opened its second overseas delivery and pickup outlet in Vietnam in February to establish a presence in the local food delivery market.

The first overseas delivery and pickup store, named BBQ Smart Kitchen, opened in New Jersey in May last year. The BBQ Smart Kitchen store only serves fried chicken and beverages for carryout and delivery.

Source: Yonhap News Agency