Chapter 136

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Translator: penny

Chapter: 136

Chapter Title: Franchise Inquiries and Selections

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YSP Building, CEO's office.

Yoo Jin-seong was watching YouTube on his computer. It was a Halmae Tteok CF ad, featuring Jung Ha-neul as the main model.

"Kuh— Ha-neul's beauty is insane. The ad turned out perfectly."

With full makeup, Jung Ha-neul looked like a goddess—no exaggeration. She was stunning enough to rival top actresses.

The ad featured her in a chef's uniform, preparing delicious street food and serving it to customers.

Overall, it had a neat, upscale vibe that instilled a subtle sense of trust in viewers.

- We're looking for franchise owners to join us with Halmae Tteok.

He checked the comments.

Nine out of ten comments were raving about Jung Ha-neul's looks. People were more interested in her than Halmae Tteok itself.

[Cook Hyun-woo]

He then checked the Cook Hyun-woo channel. A video titled 'Cook Hyun-woo's CF Ad' had been uploaded about two hours ago.

It was a CF ad featuring both Lee Hyun-woo and Jung Ha-neul. Chef Lee Hyun-woo serving customer Jung Ha-neul.

Lee Hyun-woo was decent-looking himself, but next to Jung Ha-neul, he ended up looking half like a squid.

Cook Hyun-woo's channel, which had blown up with vlogs, was now on the verge of 500,000 subscribers.

With his handsome looks and deep, low voice, Cook Hyun-woo had captured the hearts of women, especially housewives.

The CF ad's views were climbing rapidly.

He'd agonized over it a lot.

Should he go with Kim Jung-tae as the male model for Halmae Tteok? Or Lee Hyun-woo? He'd really wrestled with the choice.

In the end, he picked Lee Hyun-woo for his wholesome image and fame.

YouTube promo was just the start. Ads were running on TV, newspapers, portals, galleries, SNS, and more.

He planned to pour 6 billion won into ads over three months—2 billion a month.

'Franchises...'

Yoo Jin-seong had no intention of handing them out to just anyone.

Only to those who cleared the minimum bar.

The bar was simple.

1. Not a villain.

Franchising to villains would just invite trouble. No reason to partner with them.

'I want a franchise system that thrives together with the owners.'

'One where everyone gets rich, lives well, symbiotic.'

'Gotta make retirement lotto for the owners too.'

Kim Hyun-soo got a severance package.

'Damn it...!'

He found a new job lead, but reemployment wasn't easy.

His age was advanced, competitiveness low—no interviews, cut at the resume stage.

'Self-employment the only option...?'

He was entering his 50s.

He still felt young. Could work another 15 years no problem.

But his savings were middling. Not enough for a secure retirement.

And manual labor? His body couldn't hack it anymore.

'Alright, self-employment it is.'

What kind?

'Franchise looks good.'

Franchises seemed manageable.

Hard to strike it rich, but low risk of failure. Low barrier if you had the cash.

'Which one?'

Chicken? Pizza? Jokbal? Gukbap?

'Chicken joint?'

He inquired at various franchises.

While pondering...

"Dad, what about Halmae Tteok franchise?"

"Halmae Tteok? What's that?"

"Tteokbokki place. Super tasty. They're advertising franchises everywhere lately."

"Tteokbokki? Making money selling kids' street food?"

Kim Hyun-soo was skeptical.

To him, tteokbokki was just cheap cup tteokbokki from school days—nothing more, nothing less.

Better to fry chicken for 15,000 won a pop than chase kids' pocket change.

"Cup tteokbokki? 50 won? What year do you think it is?"

"...?"

"This won't do. Come on. Go see it yourself and judge."

He ended up visiting Halmae Tteok on a whim.

'Whoa?!'

Kim Hyun-soo jumped in surprise.

[Halmae Tteok]

[Grandma's Spicy Tteokbokki - Main Branch]

[Franchise Inquiries: 1599-○○○○]

The wait was insane.

Lines from teens to 40s, all ages. At least 30 minutes to get in.

After 40 minutes, he entered.

"Welcome! This is Halmae Tteok!"

The staff greeted him warmly.

Ding-a-ling-!

"Yes, hello? Halmae Tteok speaking?"

Baedal Minjok delivery order!

The place was buzzing.

"20,500 won."

With various orders, it'd exceeded a whole chicken—over 20,000 won, and not even that much food.

'Pricey.'

A bit shocking.

Cup tteokbokki from memory was dirt cheap, but Halmae Tteok felt affordable yet wasn't.

He sat and scanned around.

Click-!

Click-!

Everyone snapping pics of the appetizing food.

"Wow, looks so good."

"Babe, smells amazing."

"Worth the wait."

All faces lit up.

Sniff sniff—

Delicious aromas filled the air.

"Customer 116. Your order's ready."

Food arrived.

He tasted the bright red tteokbokki.

'Huh?'

Kim Hyun-soo's pupils shook wide.

Honestly, shockingly good.

Not just on par with school-day cup tteokbokki—no, better than nostalgia-boosted memory.

Crunch-!

Fried items were doubly tasty. Especially the whole squid—crispy-chewy, salty perfection.

"Dad, good, right? ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Told you it's amazing."

"Yeah, tasty."

"See? Way better than Yup Tteok or Bae Tteok, honestly."

Halmae Tteok suited his taste.

But his daughter loved it beyond expectations.

Kim Hyun-soo got interested in Halmae Tteok.

He researched it thoroughly.

'New company, but a good one.'

YSP was less than half a year old.

Halmae Tteok was born from a kind mission: giving a poor grandma a job.

Currently running branches 1, 2, 3 directly—all packed ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠with lines.

'Should inquire.'

Seemed better than average chicken franchises.

He called Halmae Tteok HQ and talked to a rep.

That afternoon.

Kim Hyun-soo visited YSP Cheongju Building.

'YSP owns the whole building.'

Building named YSP Cheongju Building.

1F: Halmae Tteok, 2F: YSP Gym, 3F: YSP Office, 4-5F: YSP Studio, 6F: Halmae Tteok.

'Huh? CEO must be loaded.'

Company seemed pretty big.

He went to the 3rd floor.

"Hello. I'm Team Leader Lee Myung-ho, in charge of Halmae Tteok overall. I've been waiting."

Met with Team Leader Lee Myung-ho.

"No royalty?"

"Correct. No separate royalty fees. However, all store supplies must be purchased exclusively from company-designated suppliers."

The company profited by supplying goods to franchises.

Franchises ordered what they needed; company delivered accordingly.

"We will never overcharge. Plans are for fair pricing."

Lee Myung-ho explained the profit process and margins in detail.

Direct contracts with farms for cheap ingredients, large warehouses to minimize price fluctuations.

"We'll make products as cheap as possible, add 15-20% margin for supply."

"Part of profits reinvested in ads, promotions, and retirement lotto."

"Some franchises charge extra ad fees—we won't."

"Promo costs fully covered by HQ. No sharing the burden with owners."

"Additionally..."

Policy: Lend 10% of startup costs at 2% annual rate, repay principal + interest monthly.

Company-contracted accountants for cheapest tax handling.

Even training free.

Plus, dispatch experts for location advice, bank ties for lower loans.

'Not bad.'

Kim Hyun-soo had inquired at other franchises before.

None had terms this good, none this owner-friendly.

'Gotta sign.'

He was sold.

'A million a month. No more, no less—just a clean million monthly.'

The power of ads was mighty. Inquiries flooded in. Halmae Tteok staff were swamped with consultations.

Yoo Jin-seong conducted final interviews.

Pass.

Pass.

Pass.

Pass.

Sifted through. After 47 interviews, 33 passed. Signed contracts with all 33.

'Success.'

33 franchises locked in.

Future interviews: Capital area Thursdays PM, provinces Fridays PM.

"Sir, the report."

Secretary Han Ji-yu submitted the report.

"Industry trends and forecasts for IT and platforms. Also investigated businesses linkable to our YSP."

"Thanks. Good work."

Secretary Han Ji-yu was a monster.

"Let's chat over tea."

"Yes, sir."