Cupbop Korean BBQ in a cup celebrated its grand opening recently at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Exchange. The opening marks the Exchange’s ninth Cupbop location nationwide, the first in Alaska, and the largest Cupbop opening at any Exchange to date.
Opening day saw more than 400 transactions, with lines stretching across the food court for most of the day. JBER Exchange Services Business Tech Jackie Justiniano estimated that more than 600 diners attended the opening of the “Shark Tank”-featured restaurant—the chain’s first Alaska location.
Strategic promotions played a key role in the opening’s success. Justiniano reached out to local influencer Lexi Barrios, a military spouse and creator of Lexi’s Grub Guide, to create a promotional social media video before the grand opening. Her early visit and engaging content helped amplify awareness across Facebook and Instagram.
“This collaboration was particularly meaningful to me as I’m also a military spouse,” Barrios said. “I’ve seen firsthand that the Exchange is the central hub for base communities. Living in Alaska, I’ve noticed that new restaurants bring genuine excitement to military members and their families. Cupbop was quick, delicious and exactly what we needed at JBER, so I was happy to share the grand opening with the community.”
The momentum didn’t stop there. In December, Cupbop generated more than $81,000 in sales, surpassing the previous tenant’s average monthly total of $52,000.
“We’re thrilled to see such an incredible response from the JBER community,” said JBER Exchange General Manager Keola Chan. “Cupbop’s opening not only exceeded expectations but also reflects our commitment to bringing exciting, high-quality dining options to service members and their families.”
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