Cupbop
{{Short description|American fast casual restaurant chain}}
{{Infobox restaurant
| name = Cupbop Inc.
| logo = 150px
| food-type = Fast casual
| established = {{start date and age|2013}}, in Salt Lake County, Utah, United States
| current-owner = Junghun Song and Dok Kwon
| country = United States and Indonesia
| website = {{URL|https://www.cupbop.com/|Cupbop.com}}
}}
Cupbop (stylized as CUP-BOP) is an American fast casual restaurant chain located in the United States and Indonesia. They serve street-food style Korean barbecue, otherwise known as cup-bop ({{langx|ko|컵밥}}).{{Cite web|date=2019-08-01|title=Twist It, Pull It, Cupbop It: Ramen 930 partners with Cupbop to bring together Korean BBQ and Japanese Ramen|url=https://www.slugmag.com/community/food/food-reviews/twist-it-pull-it-cupbop-it-ramen-930-partners-with-cupbop-to-bring-together-korean-bbq-and-japanese-ramen/|access-date=2021-08-18|website=SLUG Magazine|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-08-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818222811/https://www.slugmag.com/community/food/food-reviews/twist-it-pull-it-cupbop-it-ramen-930-partners-with-cupbop-to-bring-together-korean-bbq-and-japanese-ramen/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last1=Hines|first1=Kalama|date=2021-04-09|title=East Idaho Eats: Cups of delicious Korean barbecue spreading across Idaho|url=https://www.eastidahonews.com/2021/04/east-idaho-eats-cups-of-delicious-korean-barbecue-spreading-across-idaho/|access-date=2021-08-18|website=East Idaho News|archive-date=2021-04-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210409233903/https://www.eastidahonews.com/2021/04/east-idaho-eats-cups-of-delicious-korean-barbecue-spreading-across-idaho/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Antonation|first=Mark|title=Last Year's Openings and Closings by the Numbers|url=https://www.westword.com/restaurants/restaurant-openings-and-closings-in-2020-by-the-numbers-11875375|access-date=2021-08-18|website=Westword|language=en|archive-date=2021-01-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127030016/https://www.westword.com/restaurants/restaurant-openings-and-closings-in-2020-by-the-numbers-11875375|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=What is Cupbop? Cupbop Story|url=https://cupbop.com/our-values/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-18|website=Cupbop.com|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-08-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818222826/https://cupbop.com/our-values/}}{{Cite web|title=Cupbop OCN Eats: What's For Lunch?|url=https://ourcommunitynow.com/Videos/whats-for-lunch/cupbop-ocn-eats-whats-for-lunch|access-date=2021-08-18|website=Our Community Now|language=en|archive-date=2021-08-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818222822/https://ourcommunitynow.com/Videos/whats-for-lunch/cupbop-ocn-eats-whats-for-lunch|url-status=live}}
Cupbop started out in 2013 as a food truck in Salt Lake County, Utah and has since grown to other states.https://www.cupbop.com/location{{Cite web|last=Martin|first=Bradley|date=2020-09-02|title=Cupboppers Alert, Korean Barbecue in a Cup Is Headed to the Eastside|url=https://vegas.eater.com/2020/9/2/21417585/cupbop-korean-barbecue-in-a-cup-eastside-unlv|access-date=2021-08-19|website=Eater Vegas|language=en}} The restaurant is credited with bringing Korean BBQ to Utah.{{Cite web|title=Cupbop brought Korean BBQ to Utah. Now it's inspired Asian-Mexican fusion food in Vietnam.|url=https://www.sltrib.com/artsliving/food/2019/09/06/cupbop-brought-korean-bbq/|access-date=2021-08-18|website=The Salt Lake Tribune|language=en-US|archive-date=2019-09-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190916001743/https://www.sltrib.com/artsliving/food/2019/09/06/cupbop-brought-korean-bbq/|url-status=live}} As of June 2024, in the United States there are 64 total store locations, six food trucks, and several concessions locations including the Utah Jazz NBA Arena. The chain also operates over 180 locations throughout Indonesia.{{Cite web |last=Sauer |first=Megan |date=2022-05-06 |title=How this 'Shark Tank' CEO went from one food truck to a $1 million investment offer from Mark Cuban |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/06/shark-tank-mark-cubans-1-million-offer-for-cupbop-korean-barbecue.html |access-date=2022-07-01 |website=CNBC |language=en}} In 2024 the chain saw $64 million in annual revenue.{{Cite web|title=Cupbop serves up a winning combo for success in Utah and beyond|url=https://www.sltrib.com/artsliving/food/2017/08/30/cupbop-serves-up-a-winning-combo-for-success-in-utah-and-beyond/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-18|website=The Salt Lake Tribune|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-03-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302113029/https://www.sltrib.com/artsliving/food/2017/08/30/cupbop-serves-up-a-winning-combo-for-success-in-utah-and-beyond/}}{{Cite web|date=2021-05-17|title=Get ready for a steaming cup of korean BBQ|url=https://www.abc4.com/gtu/get-ready-for-a-steaming-cup-of-korean-bbq/|access-date=2021-08-18|website=ABC4 Utah|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-05-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520121256/https://www.abc4.com/gtu/get-ready-for-a-steaming-cup-of-korean-bbq/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2024-04-05 |title=Cupbop Opens 50 New Stores, Boosts Valuation |url=https://www.caclubindia.com/assets/cupbop-shark-tank/ |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=Assets Magazine |language=en-US}}
History
File:Cupbob (41378403680).jpg in 2018.]]
Junghun Song started Cupbop after finding out that Korean cuisine was not represented at a Utah food convention in 2013. Song and two of his friends began selling Korean cuisine out of a 20-year-old food truck soon after and became the founders and part-owners of Cupbop.{{Cite web|url=https://n.news.naver.com/article/421/0003589357|script-title=ko:노량진 컵밥으로 미국서 부자 된 청년들의 성공 노하우|first=영섭|last=이|website=Naver News|access-date=2021-08-18|archive-date=2019-12-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204073132/https://n.news.naver.com/article/421/0003589357|url-status=live}}
Throughout 2015, Cupbop expanded by opening more food trucks and a brick and mortar restaurant near Brigham Young University.{{Cite web|url=http://koreabizwire.com/korean-cupbop-a-big-hit-in-utah/35906|title=Korean Cupbop a Big Hit in Utah|access-date=2021-08-18|work=Korea Bizwire|date=29 May 2015 |archive-date=2020-10-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022120121/http://koreabizwire.com/korean-cupbop-a-big-hit-in-utah/35906|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|first=Jordan|last=Carroll|title=New Korean BBQ shack will make stomachs sing mmmmbop|url=https://www.heraldextra.com/entertainment/dining/restaurants/new-korean-bbq-shack-will-make-stomachs-sing-mmmmbop/article_54b94c52-6b44-5d0d-a0eb-cceae5252de2.html|access-date=2021-08-18|website=Daily Herald|language=en|archive-date=2016-11-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106192024/http://www.heraldextra.com/entertainment/dining/restaurants/new-korean-bbq-shack-will-make-stomachs-sing-mmmmbop/article_54b94c52-6b44-5d0d-a0eb-cceae5252de2.html|url-status=live}} The company's recognizable branding led it to be frequently posted on social media and become known around the BYU campus.{{Cite web|title=Local favorites BBQ in a cup and 'dirty' sodas among new food offerings at Utah Jazz arena|url=https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=3090544&itype=CMSID|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-18|website=The Salt Lake Tribune|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-08-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818222811/https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=3090544&itype=CMSID}} Cupbop ran local events and marketing campaigns to promote growth.{{Cite web|date=2020-03-13|title=Coronavirus begins ravaging downtown Denver businesses as foot traffic decelerates|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2020/03/13/coronavirus-downtown-denver-restaurants-businesses/|access-date=2021-08-18|website=The Denver Post|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-02-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225060025/https://www.denverpost.com/2020/03/13/coronavirus-downtown-denver-restaurants-businesses/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Utah food trucks — designed for takeout meals — suffer without events, but they are open for business|url=https://www.sltrib.com/news/2020/03/25/utah-food-trucks/|access-date=2021-08-18|website=The Salt Lake Tribune|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-07-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720082029/https://www.sltrib.com/news/2020/03/25/utah-food-trucks/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Martin|first=Bradley|date=2020-10-19|title=CupBop Debuts Korean Barbecue in a Cup Near UNLV|url=https://vegas.eater.com/2020/10/19/21521900/cupbop-opens-korean-barbecue-near-unlv|access-date=2021-08-18|website=Eater Vegas|language=en|archive-date=2021-02-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203181203/https://vegas.eater.com/2020/10/19/21521900/cupbop-opens-korean-barbecue-near-unlv|url-status=live}} Since its inception, Cupbop has opened over 64 stores across the U.S. and its sales have surpassed $64 million USD (30 billion won).{{Cite web|date=March 9, 2021|last=Courtney1|title=Korean BBQ Cupbop Coming Soon To Twin Falls|url=https://kezj.com/korean-bbq-cupbop-coming-soon-to-twin-falls/|access-date=2021-08-18|website=95.7 KEZJ|language=en|archive-date=2021-03-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310085657/https://kezj.com/korean-bbq-cupbop-coming-soon-to-twin-falls/|url-status=live}}
Cupbop saw acclaim in the restaurant industry with its inclusion Yahoo's selection of "27 of the Best Food Trucks in America" and was voted as the number one food truck in Utah in 2021.{{Cite web|last=O'Heir|first=Jeff|date=April 23, 2015|title=27 of the Best Food Trucks in America|url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/a-taste-of-the-countrys-best-food-trucks-117032284796.html|url-status=live|access-date=2021-08-18|website=Yahoo! Lifestyle|language=en-US|archive-date=2019-12-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225171816/https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/a-taste-of-the-countrys-best-food-trucks-117032284796.html}}{{Cite web|first=Phillip|last=Morgan-Daily|title=Cupbop is the Korean BBQ King of Utah Valley food trucks|url=https://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/cupbop-is-the-korean-bbq-king-of-utah-valley-food-trucks/article_1a65ad4c-69b4-583b-bfc1-747c1f41135a.html|access-date=2021-08-18|website=Daily Herald|language=en|archive-date=2021-08-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210818222812/https://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/cupbop-is-the-korean-bbq-king-of-utah-valley-food-trucks/article_1a65ad4c-69b4-583b-bfc1-747c1f41135a.html|url-status=live}}
In May 2022, the company's owners appeared on the American television show Shark Tank and asked for $1 million in exchange for a 3% stake in the company.{{Cite web |last=Mortin |first=Tyler |date=2022-04-29 |title=What Happened To Cupbop After The Shark Tank? {{!}} Net Worth & Valuation In 2022 |url=https://sharktanktalks.com/cupbop-shark-tank-update/ |access-date=2022-04-29 |language=en-US}} They made a deal with billionaire investor Mark Cuban, selling him 5 percent of the company for 1 million USD.{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Lottie Elizabeth |date=2022-05-09 |title=Utah's Cupbop struck a deal with Mark Cuban on 'Shark Tank.' Here's what happened |url=https://www.deseret.com/2022/5/9/23060695/shark-tank-utah-cupbop-mark-cuban-deal-what-happened |access-date=2022-07-01 |website=Deseret News |language=en}} As of 2024 they operate in seven states–Utah, Idaho, Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Oklahoma and Texas.{{Cite web |last=Winter |first=Ree |date=2022-08-16 |title=What Happened To Cupbop After Shark Tank? |url=https://www.mashed.com/967793/what-happened-to-cupbop-after-shark-tank/ |access-date=2022-08-17 |website=Mashed.com |language=en-US}}
Menu
Cupbop's menu consists primarily of steamed rice bowls. They offer several different types of bowls, including chicken, beef, pork, vegetables and tofu, all served Korean barbecue style alongside rice and cabbage.{{Cite web|title=Cupbop Menu|url=https://cupbop.com/#menu-items|url-status=live|access-date=August 18, 2021|website=Cupbop.com|archive-date=April 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417010602/https://cupbop.com/#menu-items}} Cupbop also serves other Korean staple foods such as mandoo (a Korean dumpling) and kimchi.{{Cite web|title=Here's 30 restaurants that opened in metro Phoenix in July|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/dining/2021/08/01/new-restaurants-bars-phoenix-glendale-scottsdale-july-2021/5409013001|url-access=subscription|access-date=2021-08-18|website=The Arizona Republic}}https://www.cupbop.com/menu
References
{{reflist}}
Further reading
= In English =
- Jin-Hai, Park [https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/culture/2024/06/135_373148.html "Korean BBQ food truck Cupbop captures American taste buds with fun flair"], The Korea Times, April 23, 2024.
- Savannah Beth Withers Taylor [https://www.utahbusiness.com/4-lessons-from-founder-friday-with-cupbops-junghun-song-and-dok-kwon/ "4 lessons from Founder Friday with Cupbop's Junghun Song and Dok Kwon"], Utah Business, March 29, 2024.
= In Korean =
- 이지연 "컵밥(CUPBOP): [http://www.kdpress.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=117127 "미국에서 한국의 나눔 '정; 실천- 노숙자 무료 식사 봉사"], 데일리경제, December 12, 2022.
Category:2013 establishments in Utah
Category:Restaurants established in 2013