Exclusive
Koo Ji-eun, who left Ourhome after losing the 'sibling feud,' returns as an executive director of Calisco

[비즈한국] It has been confirmed through Bizhankook's coverage that former Ourhome Vice Chairwoman Koo Ji-eun has returned as an executive director of Calisco, a company that operates food service franchises such as Saboten, Hibarin, and Taco Bell. Former Vice Chairwoman Koo officially resigned from her position as CEO of Ourhome this past June after losing the management rights battle among her siblings. Attention is now focused on her future role following her return to Calisco.

Koo Ji-eun, who resigned as CEO of Ourhome on June 17, has returned as an executive director of Calisco. According to the corporate registry, she was appointed as an executive director on August 14 and registered on the 21st, one week later. Former Vice Chairwoman Koo had stepped down as CEO of Calisco when she was appointed as CEO of Ourhome in June 2021. With this appointment as an executive director, she has returned to the Calisco board after about three years.

Calisco is a company spun off from Ourhome’s Saboten division in 2009, with Lindeman Asia holding a 50% stake. The remaining shares are held by former Vice Chairwoman Koo (23%), former Calisco CEO Koo Myung-jin (17.75%), and five others including Ourhome (9.25%).

Attention is also focused on the role she will play at Calisco now that she has returned as an executive director. Some suggest that her return to the board is a stepping stone for her to eventually take on the role of CEO. Calisco is currently led by new CEO Yeo Hwan-ju, who was appointed on June 5—a personnel move made before the Ourhome management dispute was resolved.

Meanwhile, as former Vice Chairwoman Koo Ji-eun was appointed as an executive director, former Calisco CEO Koo Myung-jin stepped down from her position as an executive director. Koo Myung-jin served as an executive director at Calisco from January 2020 to August 14, 2024. Although she stepped down from the executive role, she was immediately appointed as a non-standing director. It is expected that Koo Myung-jin will support former Vice Chairwoman Koo on the Calisco board.

Koo Myung-jin and Koo Ji-eun are the second and third daughters of the late Koo Ja-hak, the founder of Ourhome. Koo Bon-sung, the eldest son of the late Chairman Koo and former Vice Chairman of Ourhome, filed a lawsuit against Koo Myung-jin and Koo Ji-eun earlier this year on charges of breach of trust, leading to a legal battle. After Koo Ji-eun resigned as CEO of Ourhome in June, Koo Mi-hyun, the eldest daughter of the late Chairman Koo, took over as CEO of Ourhome. Koo Mi-hyun is known to have aligned herself with former CEO Koo Bon-sung.

Regarding this, a Calisco representative stated, "We have nothing to say at this time."