Tim Hortons, Peet's Coffee entry to intensify competition in Seoul's premium coffee market
Tim Hortons' coffee and donuts / Courtesy of Tim HortonsBy Kim Jae-heunHot competition among premium coffee chains is forecast as Tim Hortons prepares to open its first store in Seoul and Peet's Coffee registered its trademark rights here in May, industry officials said Wednesday. A Canadian multinational coffeehouse chain, Tim Hortons is currently hiring manager-level employees to take charge of developing directly managed stores in Korea. Tim Hortons has not revealed its exact opening date, but the chain hinted it will open its first store in the second half of this year ― most likely early in December.Peet's Coffee, a gourmet coffee chain originating from Berkeley, California, and often compared to Starbucks Coffee, registered trademarks for food and beverage services, as well as advertising and business management under its brand, two months ago.When both coffeehouse chains enter the domestic market, they are expected to compete directly with Starbucks Korea, the current leading coffee shop franchise in the country.Currently, there is no prominent rival to Starbucks Korea. Local
