25.09.03.Today News : Knife Rampage at Sillim Pizza Shop Leaves 3 Dead Amid Franchise Dispute

Knife Rampage at Sillim Pizza Shop Leaves 3 Dead Amid Franchise Dispute

📍Conflict over interior costs and business policies escalates into deadly attack

A shocking knife attack at a pizza shop in Sillim-dong, Seoul, left three people dead and the franchise owner hospitalized after attempting self-harm. Investigations revealed that long-standing disputes between the shop owner and the franchise headquarters over interior repairs and menu policies triggered the tragedy.

A knife attack at a pizza restaurant left three people dead, and the franchise owner suffered serious injuries after committing the crime.

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■ Incident overview
At around 10:57 a.m. on September 3, a pizza franchise shop in Sillim-dong, Seoul, became the scene of a fatal knife rampage. The suspect, identified as the shop owner in his 40s, stabbed three people to death before injuring himself. The victims included an executive from the franchise headquarters and two interior contractors, a father and daughter. The suspect survived and confessed to the crime while receiving hospital treatment.

■ Conflict with franchise headquarters
The owner had been in dispute with the headquarters over renovation issues. Despite paying for construction by a designated contractor, leaks and broken tiles appeared, yet the headquarters refused to cover repair costs. Additionally, the owner claimed he was pressured to implement a "single set menu," which he resisted, leading to further conflict.

■ Harsh business conditions
According to acquaintances, the owner ran the store alone from morning until past midnight to save labor costs, leaving him exhausted and financially strained. He had confided that refusing to comply with headquarters’ policies left him at a disadvantage. On the day of the incident, he had planned a meeting with headquarters representatives and contractors, which ended in tragedy.

■ Structural issues in the franchise industry
The case has sparked renewed scrutiny of South Korea’s franchise system. Headquarters often impose mandatory purchases of supplies and charge additional fees for equipment and interior works. Disputes over excessive margins, known as “gap franchise fees,” are common, with nearly 2,500 franchisees from 17 major brands currently pursuing lawsuits against their headquarters.

■ Police investigation
Police confirmed that the suspect used a kitchen knife from the store and plan to formally arrest him once he is discharged from the hospital. Investigators are focusing on uncovering the precise motive and whether systemic franchise disputes contributed to the crime.

One-line summary : A pizza franchise owner in Sillim-dong fatally stabbed three people amid disputes with headquarters over business issues before injuring himself.