Lotte GRS to Develop Korea’s First Modular Technology for Franchise Stores in Partnership with Lotte Construction, POSCO, and PLANM
(Money Today News) – Lotte GRS has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the development of modular technology tailored for F&B (Food & Beverage) facility outlets. The partnership includes construction firm Lotte Construction, steel specialist POSCO, and modular specialist PLANM.
The signing ceremony was attended by key executives, including Lee Jae-yong, Head of Store Development at Lotte GRS; Seok Won-kyun, Director of the Lotte Construction Technology Research Institute; Oh Do-gil, Head of the Steel Products Marketing Office at POSCO; and Choi Yun-ah, Executive Director of PLANM.
Under the agreement, the four companies will jointly develop prototype models for applying modular construction to Drive-Thru (D/T) facilities within the F&B sector. They will also cooperate on the design, manufacturing, and construction of these modular units for various brands under Lotte GRS.
Modular construction, the core focus of this agreement, is an eco-friendly building system where major sections of a structure are prefabricated as units in a factory and then assembled and finished on-site within a short period. This method is expected to shorten construction timelines and reduce costs through mass production.
One of the most significant advantages for franchise stores is the high mobility offered by the ability to disassemble and reinstall the units. This allows brands to maintain a consistent identity and respond swiftly to changes in local commercial districts by facilitating the rapid construction or relocation of stores.
This initiative is also part of Lotte GRS’s effort to address eco-friendly store development—a key task in its "2025 With Us, For Earth" ESG management campaign, which has been underway since 2021.
While the domestic modular construction market has primarily focused on schools and multi-family housing, there have been no prior cases of modular applications specifically for F&B franchise stores in Korea. Consequently, the application of this technology to Lotte GRS brands will mark a "first of its kind" in the domestic market.
A representative from Lotte GRS stated, "Through this four-party agreement for modular technology development, we will strive to create mutual benefits by maximizing the capabilities and resources of each company. Based on the developed modular construction technology, we plan to apply it to D/T stores and gradually expand its implementation."
Source: Money Today News
