The 처갓집양념치킨 franchise is alleging unfair business practices by the 배달의민족 (Baemin) delivery platform and its parent company, 한국일오삼 (Korea Il-o-sam), filing a complaint with the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) on Wednesday, February 20, 2026. The complaint, filed through law firm YK, centers on claims that Baemin is leveraging its dominant market position to restrict franchisees’ business opportunities.
According to YK, the dispute stems from a partnership agreement between Baemin and Korea Il-o-sam. The firm alleges that Baemin offered franchisees reduced commission rates – from 7.8% to 3.5% – in exchange for exclusive use of the Baemin platform. YK argues this “exclusive” arrangement effectively prevents franchisees from utilizing competing delivery services, leading to decreased sales and limited market access. “The economic benefit provided to the point owners is minimal, while the opportunity to trade through other delivery apps is deprived, which can cause a serious blow to sales for franchisees,” YK stated, as reported by NewsWorks.
The franchisees contend that approximately 90% of 처갓집양념치킨 locations have opted into the “Baemin Only” program, resulting in reduced visibility on other platforms, including public delivery apps. The complaint asserts that Baemin is exploiting its market dominance to enforce what it characterizes as a “de facto mandatory” exclusive agreement. Franchisees reportedly fear repercussions, such as reduced app exposure, if they choose not to participate in the promotion, according to reports from Aju News.
Beyond the exclusivity concerns, YK also raised issues with Baemin’s fee structure, alleging a lack of transparency in how discounts and commissions are calculated. The firm claims that while promotions are presented as shared cost initiatives, the ultimate financial burden may fall disproportionately on franchisees.
Baemin has not yet issued a detailed response to the allegations. KBS News reported that the company characterized its actions as “sound business activities.” The KFTC has confirmed receipt of the complaint and has not indicated a timeline for its review. The franchisees, represented by YK, are seeking a KFTC investigation into Baemin’s practices and potential remedies to address the alleged anti-competitive behavior.
