North American Cafe Brands Entering The Korean Market

Korean Food and Beverage Market Has Seen A Lot Of Competition From Overseas Brands

It is expected that the success of the global market will be determined by the ability to target Korean consumers who are sensitive to trends. As global brands are expected to enter Korea, competition with existing brands is inevitable.

1. Tim Hortons

Tim Hortons, a global coffee brand that started in Canada in 1964 and has been operating for 60 years, plans to open its first store in South Korea later this year. Tim Holtons is preparing for the opening by installing exterior shields on the exterior walls and ground floor space of the Urban Hive building located at Sinnonhyeon intersection in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. The store will be 335 square meters.

Tim Holtons is a mega-brand with more than 5,600 stores in 16 countries around the world and is part of the RBI Group, which operates global QSR brands such as Burger King and Papa John’s. In Korea, BKR Korea will operate the brand.

2. Intelligentsia

Intelligentsia, one of the top three specialty coffee brands in the United States along with Blue Bottle, is set to open its first official store in Korea. MH Partners, a company specializing in coffee import and distribution, recently acquired the exclusive rights to open Intelligentsia coffee stores in Korea.

Seongsu-dong and Bukchon Village in Seoul are being considered as potential locations for Intelligentsia coffee’s first store. MH Partners has shortlisted two locations and is in talks with the US headquarters. The company is also planning a pop-up store in November.