It All Started with a Spark
The History of Flame Broiler
From Our Kitchen to your table
On A mission
From the beginning, our founder, Young Lee, set out to serve the kind of food he’d be proud to feed his own family. That passion has fueled Young’s mission to make healthy food available to everyone, one bowl at a time. We are a family-owned business, committed to using real, good-for-you ingredients, bold flavors, and friendly service to satisfy your appetite. We figure when you’re dedicated to doing things the right way, goodness spreads like fire.
Making Healthy Food Available To All
We believe food has the power to impact the health and wellness of people and their communities. That’s why since 1995, making healthy, affordable food has been our first priority.
Driven By Purpose
We Exemplify Love
We see every task and interaction as an opportunity to show genuine care and service.
And Help Others Win
We operate as a collective team and push one another towards growth as employees, humans, and citizens.
Fanatical Excellence
We commit to mastering every element of our work and never stop learning how to be better.
To Feed Communities
We extend our impact beyond the 4 walls of our restaurants for the benefit of the community.
History
1972
Immigrated to LA
Young Lee immigrates from South Korea to South Los Angeles. LA becomes his home for much of his younger life, where he quickly finds that restaurants serving affordable, healthy meals are hard to come by.
1994
Simply Magic Sauce is Born
Young and his wife, Sarah, start dreaming up a new kind of restaurant as a way to support their growing family and provide healthy, affordable food to the community. They create the Simply Magic® Sauce recipe in their home kitchen for a taste that’s more flavorful and higher quality than other sauces out there.
1995
First Store Opens
Young and Sarah open the first Flame Broiler restaurant in Orange County, CA. The new restaurant combines the traditional flavors of South Korea with the unique tastes of Los Angeles to create a one-of-a-kind menu.
1999
Franchising Begins
As word of Young’s healthy menu and quick service spread, customers want in on the action. Young sees franchising as a way to benefit others from what he created by giving them an opportunity to be business owners, too.
2009
Giving Back
Giving back to the community has always been a huge part of Flame Broiler’s business model. In 2009, Young pledges to sponsor two children in need for every Flame Broiler location that opens. Today, through The Flame Broiler, Inc., Young continues this commitment.
2024
The next generation
Today, Young’s three sons – Daniel, Christian, and David – have all joined the family business. They are dedicated to continuing the brand’s legacy and their mission of providing greater access to healthy food in all communities.