MOU to boost agricultural retail signed Monday; deal also aims to support local communities

Gochang-gun County Chief Shim Deok-seop (left) and Eland Eats CEO Hwang Seong-yun pose for a photo at the MOU signing ceremony held Monday. [Eland Eats]
Gochang-gun County Chief Shim Deok-seop (left) and Eland Eats CEO Hwang Seong-yun pose for a photo at the MOU signing ceremony held Monday. [Eland Eats]

Ashley Queens, a buffet brand operated by Eland Eats, announced Tuesday it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Gochang-gun in North Jeolla Province to promote the retail of local agricultural products.

The signing ceremony was held Monday at the situation room of the Gochang-gun county office, with Eland Eats CEO Hwang Seong-yun and Gochang-gun County Chief Shim Deok-seop in attendance. Under the agreement, Gochang-gun will support production management to ensure a stable supply of quality agricultural products, while Eland Eats will develop and sell Ashley Queens menu items using Gochang-grown produce.

The first collaborative menu item will feature Seonunsan melon, a signature specialty of Gochang now in peak summer season. Eland Eats plans to expand the partnership to cover a wider range of Gochang produce going forward. The arrangement is designed to give local farms a reliable sales channel while offering customers dishes made with fresh, in-season regional ingredients.

"Starting with this agreement, we will introduce Gochang's outstanding agricultural products to customers nationwide and build a mutually beneficial model that grows alongside the local community," Hwang said.

Meanwhile, Eland Eats is the food service arm of Eland Group, operating brands including Ashley Queens, Jayeonbyeolgok, Roun, Pizza Mall and Deli by Ashley. Its flagship brand, Ashley Queens, runs more than 120 stores across the country.


andy@heraldcorp.com