SEOUL, March 18 (AJP) - A growing number of South Korean restaurants are charging higher prices for delivery orders than for in-store purchases, despite recent changes in commission rates by major food delivery platforms.
Industry sources said Tuesday that several major chains, including Ediya Coffee, Mom's Touch, and Gupne Chicken, have adopted dual pricing structures for delivery orders.
Ediya Coffee, which operates approximately 3,000 stores nationwide, announced that starting Tuesday, it would introduce "delivery-exclusive pricing."
The new policy raises prices by 300 won for beverages — excluding Americanos — and by 500 won for bakery items and ready-to-drink products on external delivery platforms.
The company cited increased delivery fees and shifting market conditions as key factors, with one representative noting, “Even when selling 10,000 won worth of products through delivery orders, 4,000 won is taken in fees, so many store owners requested higher delivery prices.”
Some chicken and burger chains have seen individual franchisees implement higher delivery prices, despite hesitation from their corporate headquarters.
At Mom's Touch, 48 franchisees have recently raised delivery prices by about 15 percent, though company executives have discouraged the practice, fearing a decline in sales.
Meanwhile, Gupne Chicken franchisees in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province have increased delivery prices by 1,000 to 3,000 won, with the price of the chain’s signature "Spicy Basasak" chicken rising from 19,900 won to 21,900 won in certain locations.
The trend persists despite a recent shift in commission structures by Baemin, South Korea’s largest food delivery app.
On Feb. 26, Baemin lowered its commission rates from a flat 9.8 percent to a tiered system ranging from 2.0 percent to 7.8 percent (excluding VAT). Under the new framework, restaurants in the top 35 percent of sales pay 7.8 percent, those in the 35-80 percent range pay 6.8 percent, and the bottom 20 percent pay just 2.0 percent.
Coupang Eats plans to introduce a similar commission system next month.
reporter
Candice Kim
candicekim1121@ajupress.com
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