[VIDEO] Beyond the cup: Korea's evolving cafe industry
Korea is home to roughly 100,000 cafes. How did the coffee industry thrive to this extent in a country that is not historically known for coffee? Looking at Mega MGC Coffee — the chain with the largest number of branches in Korea — two key factors emerge. On average, a Korean consumes nearly 400 cups of coffee per year, which is almost three times the global average. For Koreans, coffee is less…
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Korea boasts approximately 100,000 cafes, a coffee culture that has flourished despite the country's historical lack of affinity for the beverage. Mega MGC Coffee, the largest chain in the nation, exemplifies the factors driving this growth. On average, Koreans consume around 400 cups of coffee annually, nearly three times the worldwide average.
For Koreans, coffee serves a functional purpose, aiding in the management of demanding work schedules. Consequently, cafes in Korea typically adopt one of two strategies: either a high-end positioning or a low-cost approach aimed at maximizing profit through high sales volumes. Mega MGC Coffee operates within the latter category, offering iced Americanos at approximately 2,000 won ($1.5) for a 710ml serving.
This pricing strategy allows the company to become an integral part of consumers' daily routines rather than a source of large profits per drink. Additionally, the service at Mega MGC Coffee is impressively swift, with orders for an Americano typically prepared within minutes of placement.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- [VIDEO] Beyond the cup: Korea's evolving cafe industry koreatimes.co.kr
