SEOUL, Jan. 28 (Korea Bizwire) — As South Koreans hit the road for holiday travel, highway rest stops become essential destinations for refueling and grabbing snacks. During last year’s Chuseok holiday (September 14-18, 2024), the most popular item sold at rest stops nationwide was the Americano, generating 2.27 billion won ($1.57 million USD) in sales, according [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 22 (Korea Bizwire) — With just one month remaining until South Korea’s much-debated delivery fee reform takes effect, questions over its effectiveness are growing. Opposition from franchise operators and the rise of “dual pricing” systems among small business owners are fueling concerns that the reform could exacerbate, rather than resolve, industry tensions. Critics [...]
DAEGU, South Korea, Jan. 18 (Korea Bizwire) — The once-familiar aroma of freshly baked fish-shaped pastries, known as bungeoppang, is becoming increasingly rare on South Korean streets this winter. Strengthened enforcement against unauthorized street vending and soaring ingredient prices have led to a noticeable decline in these traditional winter snack stalls. A recent survey of Daegu’s [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 17 (Korea Bizwire) — Ediya Co., South Korea’s fourth-largest coffee franchise by sales, said Friday it has signed a master franchise deal with a Lao company to enter the Southeast Asian country this year. Ediya plans to open its first outlet in Laos in June under the partnership with Grandview Property Sole Co., [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 14 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea continues to face mounting dining costs for the third consecutive year as high inflation, currency volatility, and rising interest rates drive food prices upward. From popular dining options to workplace cafeterias and convenience store meals, prices have surged, intensifying the so-called ‘lunchflation’ phenomenon. According to data from Statistics [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 12 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s decision to designate January 27 as a temporary public holiday has extended the Lunar New Year break to six consecutive days, sparking a surge in travel demand while causing concerns among small business owners in the food and beverage industry. The travel industry is witnessing a sharp increase [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 9 (Korea Bizwire) — CJ Foodville Corp., the restaurant arm of food and entertainment conglomerate CJ Group, said Thursday its bakery franchise Tous les Jours will open its first outlet in Malaysia in the first half of this year. CJ Foodville has signed a master franchise contract with local retailer Stream Empire Holdings [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 7 (Korea Bizwire) — Despite a sluggish dining-out economy, South Korea’s food delivery market continued to grow in 2024, fueled by aggressive free delivery campaigns, particularly from Coupang Eats. According to data released by mobile analytics firm IGAWorks on January 6, the combined monthly active users (MAUs) of the country’s three major food delivery [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 3 (Korea Bizwire) — Ashley Queens and Outback Steakhouse, two leading casual dining chains in South Korea, have achieved a retail milestone by establishing locations in all three major department store groups – Lotte, Shinsegae, and Hyundai – marking the first time both restaurants have accomplished this feat. According to industry sources, Eland Eats [...]
SEOUL, Jan. 2 (Korea Bizwire) — With domestic consumption remaining sluggish, South Korean food companies are setting their sights overseas for growth in 2025, capitalizing on the surging global demand for Korean food products through new production facilities and market expansion strategies. CJ CheilJedang, a leading Korean food manufacturer, has unveiled plans to strengthen its presence [...]