Is Starbucks evolving into restaurant?
By Kim Tae-gyu
Staff reporter
Seoul-based office worker Rhee Su-jin frequently visits coffee outlets such as Starbucks or Twosome Place. The frequency of her visits has even increased of late after she started doing things other than just drinking coffee there.
``In the past, I sat in various cafes in order to chat with my friends over coffee. But recently I have gone to have a light meal there when I have to eat alone,'' the 32-year-old Rhee said.
``When I go out with my colleagues or I have lunch with customers, it is more proper to dine at restaurants. But I do not want to have a lunch alone at these bustling places; so Starbucks and Twosome Place are perfect for a quick meal.''
The downside of eating alone is that one looks lonely. To avoid the drawback, Rhee came up with her own strategy of having a brunch at around 11 a.m. so that she looks like she is eating between meals.
Then she can take advantage of a full hour from noon to 1 p.m. to shop around at the nearby department stores or take a walk.
Rhee appears to be just a part of an increasing number of Koreans who make do with fast food in coffee outlets.
Local brand Twosome Place, operated by CJ Foodville, said Tuesday that the sales of sandwiches and salads jumped about 30 percent during the first five months of 2010, compared to the previous year.
Pascucci, run by major domestic food company SPC, also saw revenue from such food as toast or cakes rocket approximately 20 percent during the same period. As a result, food accounted for 18 percent of its overall sales, up from 16 percent last year.
Getting wind of the escalating demand for food or snacks, other brands continue to put variations on their menus for quick meals as well as expanding the time slot for offering them.
Starbucks Korea, the foremost coffee chain here, introduced rice chips or meal bars made of rice, sweet potatoes and pumpkin last month.
Beginning this January, the outfit also offers its brunch menu to 3 p.m. as it gained popularity last year.
``A growing number of people have a quick meal at coffee outlets instead of visiting fast food chains. To meet demand, we will come up with various food items for them,'' said the representative of a local coffee brand.
스타벅스, 레스토랑으로 진화?
서울에서 근무하고 있는 이수진씨는 스타벅스나 투썸플레이스 같은 커피숍에 자주 간다. 요즘 커피를 마시는 것보다 다른 일을 하러 방문수가 더 증가했다.
“예전에는 여러 까페에 커피 한잔 하며 친구들과 대화하러 갔는데 요즘은 혼자 간단히 식사할 때 커피숍을 들려요. 손님들 대접할 땐 음식점이 좋겠지만 혼자서 간단히 식사할 땐 스타벅스나 투썸플레이스가 제일 좋은 것 같아요”라고 이수진(25)씨가 말했다.
CJ 푸드빌이 운영하는 투썸플레이스는 샌드위치 판매량이 2010년 1월에서5월까지 작년 대비 30% 올랐다. SPC가 운영하는 파스쿠찌도 토스트와 케익 같은 음식의 판매가 20% 증가했다.
스타벅스코리아는 지난 달 쌀 과자나 쌀고구마, 호박으로 된 음식바를 새롭게 선보였다. 작년 브런치바가 인기를 끌면서 1월부터 오후 3시까지 열었다.
“많은 사람들이 근처 패스트푸드점으로 가지 않고 커피숍으로 옵니다. 이 같은 수요를 맞추기 위해 우린 더 많은 메뉴를 준비할 계획이다”고 국내 한 커피숍 주인이 말했다.