North Florida

BBQ Chicken Bringing Korean Fried Chicken to Daytona Beach

Korean fried chicken, wings, rice dishes, tteokbokki, and sides like kimchi and fries will highlight the menu.

Image from BBQ Chicken website

DAYTONA BEACH, FL — Surya Rao, alongside his wife Mary Rao, is planning to open BBQ Chicken at 2286 W International Speedway Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, targeting a May 22 opening, he told Business Debut. The restaurant will be located across from the speedway on turn one, a well-known landmark in the area.

What to Expect

BBQ Chicken is a Korean-based franchise centered on Korean fried chicken, with existing locations across Florida. The Daytona Beach restaurant will offer a fast-casual format with both counter ordering and optional table service.

The space is expected to seat between 50 and 70 guests. Guests can dine in or order takeout, with flexibility in how they experience the restaurant.

The menu will focus on Korean-style fried chicken, including both wings and boneless options. Additional offerings include sides such as kimchi, coleslaw, french fries, sweet potato fries, and fried rice.

Other menu items include tteokbokki, a Korean rice cake dish with sauce, fish cake, and kimchi, along with chicken wraps. Rao said the honey garlic wings are a personal favorite, describing them as a sweet and savory option he enjoyed when first trying the brand.

Rao, a physician by background, said his interest in the concept came after visiting a location with his son-in-law, James “Nick” Hernandez. “I really enjoyed the food and liked the scenery of the location,” he told Business Debut. “I had to do something that I believe in first.”

Opening Timeline

The team is targeting a May 22 opening.

Hours

The restaurant plans to open around 11 a.m. daily and close at 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Weekend hours may extend later, though final times are to be announced.