Bonchon on South Main Street has gone dark, just 15 months after bringing its Korean fried chicken to Ann Arbor. The franchise location near Woodland Plaza closed for good on April 27, leaving a neat, empty storefront and a staff suddenly out of work after what the operator calls a contract dispute with the national brand. The shutdown wipes out a short-lived downtown option for Korean fried chicken that had barely cleared its first year. Regulars said they pulled up to find the doors locked and equipment already moved out.
Former franchisee Gaby Coleman told MLive that the shop at 2272 S. Main Street is closed permanently and confirmed April 27 as its last day of business. She attributed the decision to disagreements with the franchisor and said operating under those conditions was no longer realistic. According to the outlet, staff and some customers were blindsided by how quickly the closure happened.
Bonchon footprint and other Michigan spots
Bonchon launched in South Korea in 2002 and opened its first United States location in 2006, according to Bonchon. The chain has since expanded across the country, with a focus on its double-fried chicken and Korean-inspired sides. While Ann Arbor is now off the map, the company’s online directory still lists Farmington Hills and Troy as active Michigan restaurants. The ordering hub on Bonchon shows both suburban locations open for takeout and delivery.
Franchisee's account
Coleman, who brought the brand to Ann Arbor, told MLive that “disagreements between the franchisee and the franchisor” were at the heart of the closure. She said she opened the restaurant with the goal of giving downtown diners easy access to Bonchon’s signature double-fried chicken, but that friction with corporate operations eventually made staying open unrealistic. Coleman declined to share further contract specifics.
Local reaction and context
The brief run of the South Main shop was part of a broader rise in Korean dining across the area, a trend previously chronicled by the Ann Arbor Observer. Word of the shutdown spread fast online. Community members quickly flagged the closure on local forums, with customers posting last-day recollections and photos of the cleared-out interior on Reddit. Some said they would miss the soy-garlic wings and sandwiches, while others immediately pivoted to speculating about what might move into the space next.
For now, the unit at 2272 S. Main Street sits vacant while workers and diners adjust to the loss. Anyone still craving Bonchon’s particular crunch will have to look to the chain’s remaining Michigan outposts in Farmington Hills and Troy, which are the closest options carrying the same menu.
