GITNUXREPORT 2026

Korean Cafe Industry Statistics

South Korea's thriving cafe industry is massive, young, and relentlessly innovative.

Sarah Mitchell

Senior Researcher specializing in consumer behavior and market trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Statistic 1

25-34 year-olds make up 38% of cafe customers in South Korea.

Statistic 2

Women account for 57% of all cafe visitors annually.

Statistic 3

Average spending per cafe visit is 7,200 KRW for millennials.

Statistic 4

62% of Gen Z (18-24) visit cafes 4+ times weekly.

Statistic 5

Office workers represent 41% of daytime cafe customers.

Statistic 6

Students comprise 22% of cafe patrons, spending avg 5,800 KRW/visit.

Statistic 7

71% of women aged 20-39 prefer dessert cafes.

Statistic 8

Solo diners account for 48% of cafe visits in urban areas.

Statistic 9

Loyalty program users grew to 55% of total customers in 2023.

Statistic 10

Regional visitors (non-Seoul) have 15% higher visit frequency.

Statistic 11

34% of seniors (65+) visit cafes weekly for social reasons.

Statistic 12

Couples represent 19% of evening cafe traffic.

Statistic 13

High-income earners (>10M KRW/month) spend 2.3x more per visit.

Statistic 14

52% of cafe-goers are influenced by Instagram posts.

Statistic 15

Average visit duration is 65 minutes for women vs 52 for men.

Statistic 16

28% of customers are families with children on weekends.

Statistic 17

Foreign tourists make up 7% of cafe customers post-2023 recovery.

Statistic 18

Pet owners (dog cafes) segment grew to 12% of visitors.

Statistic 19

Average age of primary cafe customer is 29.4 years.

Statistic 20

45-54 age group: 25% of customers, avg spend 8,500 KRW.

Statistic 21

Men aged 25-34: 42% prefer black coffee.

Statistic 22

Weekend family visits: 31% higher spending.

Statistic 23

18-24 females: 65% choose iced lattes.

Statistic 24

Rural customers: 2.1 visits/week vs urban 3.4.

Statistic 25

55-64 group: 18% market, tea preference 40%.

Statistic 26

Influencer-driven visits: 29% of under-30s.

Statistic 27

Loyalty app downloads: 12 million users.

Statistic 28

Health-conscious: 37% choose low-cal options.

Statistic 29

Night owls (post-9PM): 14% of total traffic.

Statistic 30

Gross profit margin for cafes: 68.4% in 2023.

Statistic 31

Operating expenses rose 6.1% to 12.3 trillion KRW industry-wide.

Statistic 32

EBITDA for top 10 chains averaged 15.2% in 2023.

Statistic 33

Coffee sales account for 52% of revenue, avg price 4,800 KRW.

Statistic 34

Franchise fees average 2-5% of monthly sales.

Statistic 35

Net profit per cafe: 18.7 million KRW annually.

Statistic 36

Labor costs: 32% of total expenses in 2023.

Statistic 37

Ingredient costs increased 11% due to coffee bean prices.

Statistic 38

Top chain Ediya's revenue: 1.1 trillion KRW in 2023.

Statistic 39

Starbucks Korea revenue: 2.03 trillion KRW, +8.9% YoY.

Statistic 40

Break-even point for new cafes: 120M KRW annual sales.

Statistic 41

Tax deductions for cafe investments: up to 30% in 2023.

Statistic 42

ROI for cafe franchises: 18-25% within 2 years.

Statistic 43

Credit card transactions: 76% of payments, fees avg 1.8%.

Statistic 44

Subsidy claims for eco-friendly cafes: 450M KRW total.

Statistic 45

Average debt ratio for cafes: 45% in 2023.

Statistic 46

Sales tax revenue from cafes: 1.8 trillion KRW.

Statistic 47

Non-coffee beverages contribute 28% to profits.

Statistic 48

Plant-based milk sales up 34%, boosting margins by 5%.

Statistic 49

Net margins for indies: 11.2% vs chains 14.5%.

Statistic 50

Coffee bean import costs: up 9.2% to 1.1T KRW.

Statistic 51

Marketing spend: 4.1% of revenue avg.

Statistic 52

Cash flow positive cafes: 82%.

Statistic 53

Loan interest rates for cafes: 4.2% avg.

Statistic 54

Dividend payouts by public chains: 25% of profits.

Statistic 55

Inflation impact: +5.3% on prices.

Statistic 56

Venture capital in cafe startups: 180B KRW.

Statistic 57

ARPU (avg revenue per user): 2,400 KRW/visit.

Statistic 58

Bad debt from cafes: 0.8% of receivables.

Statistic 59

In 2023, South Korea's cafe industry generated total revenue of 18.5 trillion KRW, up 7.8% from 2022.

Statistic 60

The cafe market in South Korea grew at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2019 to 2023.

Statistic 61

As of 2023, there were over 120,000 coffee shops operating in South Korea.

Statistic 62

The specialty coffee segment accounted for 28% of the total cafe market share in 2023.

Statistic 63

Cafe industry employment reached 450,000 workers in 2023, a 3.5% increase YoY.

Statistic 64

Desserts and bakery items contributed 15.2% to cafe revenues in 2023.

Statistic 65

Mobile ordering in cafes surged by 45% in 2023 compared to 2022.

Statistic 66

The average cafe size in Seoul is 45 square meters as of 2023.

Statistic 67

Franchise cafes represent 62% of all cafes in South Korea in 2023.

Statistic 68

Per capita cafe visits in South Korea averaged 312 times per year in 2023.

Statistic 69

Independent cafes grew by 2.1% in number nationwide in 2023.

Statistic 70

Cafe export-related revenues (branded chains) hit 1.2 trillion KRW in 2023.

Statistic 71

Urban cafes (Seoul metro) comprise 68% of national cafe count in 2023.

Statistic 72

The cafe industry's contribution to GDP was 0.9% in 2023.

Statistic 73

New cafe openings totaled 15,200 in 2023 across South Korea.

Statistic 74

Cafe closures dropped to 8,500 in 2023 from 12,000 in 2022.

Statistic 75

Average annual revenue per cafe was 154 million KRW in 2023.

Statistic 76

Premium cafe segment grew 12.3% in 2023.

Statistic 77

Total cafe seating capacity nationwide exceeded 2.1 million seats in 2023.

Statistic 78

Cafe density in Seoul reached 1 cafe per 143 residents in 2023.

Statistic 79

In 2023, the number of cafes in Busan reached 8,500.

Statistic 80

Jeju Island cafes totaled 2,300 with 12% growth.

Statistic 81

Daegu cafe market size: 450 billion KRW.

Statistic 82

Incheon cafes: 5,200 outlets, avg revenue 140M KRW.

Statistic 83

Gwangju regional growth: 4.8% in cafe numbers.

Statistic 84

Nationwide cafe investment: 3.2 trillion KRW in 2023.

Statistic 85

Export of Korean cafe franchises to 15 countries.

Statistic 86

Cafe vending machines: 45,000 units installed.

Statistic 87

Corporate cafe sponsorships: 120 billion KRW.

Statistic 88

The average number of baristas per cafe is 3.2 FTEs.

Statistic 89

Peak operating hours for cafes are 2-5 PM, accounting for 35% of sales.

Statistic 90

78% of cafes use POS systems for transactions.

Statistic 91

Average daily customers per cafe: 185 in Seoul, 112 rural.

Statistic 92

Waste generation per cafe: 12kg/day, mostly packaging.

Statistic 93

65% of cafes operate 7 days a week.

Statistic 94

Delivery services contribute 22% of total sales in 2023.

Statistic 95

Staff turnover rate in cafes: 28% annually.

Statistic 96

Average menu item preparation time: 2.8 minutes.

Statistic 97

41% of cafes have outdoor seating areas.

Statistic 98

Electricity costs average 1.2 million KRW/month per cafe.

Statistic 99

Self-roasting cafes: 14% of total, up 3% YoY.

Statistic 100

WiFi usage by customers: 89% during visits.

Statistic 101

Average rent for prime Seoul cafe location: 8.5M KRW/month.

Statistic 102

Hygiene inspection pass rate: 92% for cafes in 2023.

Statistic 103

Peak staffing: 150% of base during lunch rush.

Statistic 104

33% of cafes offer takeout packaging options.

Statistic 105

Music licensing fees average 450,000 KRW/year per cafe.

Statistic 106

Average table turnover rate: 2.7 per day.

Statistic 107

Training hours for baristas avg 120/year.

Statistic 108

Inventory turnover: 8.2 times annually.

Statistic 109

Customer satisfaction score: 4.3/5 avg.

Statistic 110

Morning rush (7-10AM): 28% of daily sales.

Statistic 111

Eco-packaging adoption: 71%.

Statistic 112

Avg cafe opening hours: 11.5 hours/day.

Statistic 113

Online reservation systems: 29% usage.

Statistic 114

Monthly utility bills: 2.1M KRW avg.

Statistic 115

Franchise training compliance: 95%.

Statistic 116

Avg queue wait time: 3.2 minutes.

Statistic 117

Starbucks outlets: 1,900 in Korea.

Statistic 118

Ediya branches: 3,400 nationwide.

Statistic 119

Paul Bassett cafes: 450 locations.

Statistic 120

NFT loyalty programs adopted by 5% of chains, +12% retention.

Statistic 121

Pet-friendly cafes increased by 22% in 2023.

Statistic 122

Sustainability: 67% of cafes use recyclable cups.

Statistic 123

AI menu recommenders in 18% of premium cafes.

Statistic 124

Dessert fusion cafes (e.g., Korean-Western) up 41%.

Statistic 125

Drive-thru cafes grew 15% in suburban areas.

Statistic 126

Collagen latte sales surged 56% among women.

Statistic 127

Board game cafes: 3,200 outlets, +9% YoY.

Statistic 128

Zero-sugar beverages: 25% of menu in chain cafes.

Statistic 129

VR experience cafes opened 150 new locations.

Statistic 130

Local bean sourcing: 39% of specialty cafes.

Statistic 131

Pop-up cafes with artists: 1,200 events in 2023.

Statistic 132

NFC payment adoption: 82%, reducing wait times 20%.

Statistic 133

Wellness cafes (yoga+coffee) up 28%.

Statistic 134

Canned coffee market within cafes: +14% sales.

Statistic 135

Gender-neutral restrooms in 56% of new cafes.

Statistic 136

Metaverse cafe events: 500 virtual pop-ups.

Statistic 137

Upcycled furniture in 23% of indie cafes.

Statistic 138

ASMR coffee pouring videos boosted visits 18%.

Statistic 139

Halal-certified cafes: 120 outlets for tourists.

Statistic 140

Robot baristas in 45 cafes, cutting labor 30%.

Statistic 141

Craft beer cafes: 850 outlets.

Statistic 142

Silent study cafes: 2,100 locations.

Statistic 143

NFT art cafe collaborations: 320 events.

Statistic 144

Bio-degradable straws: 88% adoption.

1/144

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South Korea's love affair with coffee is brewing an extraordinary economic story, as evidenced by an 18.5 trillion KRW industry that saw the average person visit a cafe a staggering 312 times last year while fueling nearly half a million jobs nationwide.

Key Takeaways

In 2023, South Korea's cafe industry generated total revenue of 18.5 trillion KRW, up 7.8% from 2022.
The cafe market in South Korea grew at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2019 to 2023.
As of 2023, there were over 120,000 coffee shops operating in South Korea.
25-34 year-olds make up 38% of cafe customers in South Korea.
Women account for 57% of all cafe visitors annually.
Average spending per cafe visit is 7,200 KRW for millennials.
The average number of baristas per cafe is 3.2 FTEs.
Peak operating hours for cafes are 2-5 PM, accounting for 35% of sales.
78% of cafes use POS systems for transactions.
Gross profit margin for cafes: 68.4% in 2023.
Operating expenses rose 6.1% to 12.3 trillion KRW industry-wide.
EBITDA for top 10 chains averaged 15.2% in 2023.
NFT loyalty programs adopted by 5% of chains, +12% retention.
Pet-friendly cafes increased by 22% in 2023.
Sustainability: 67% of cafes use recyclable cups.

South Korea's thriving cafe industry is massive, young, and relentlessly innovative.

Consumer Demographics

25-34 year-olds make up 38% of cafe customers in South Korea.
Women account for 57% of all cafe visitors annually.
Average spending per cafe visit is 7,200 KRW for millennials.
62% of Gen Z (18-24) visit cafes 4+ times weekly.
Office workers represent 41% of daytime cafe customers.
Students comprise 22% of cafe patrons, spending avg 5,800 KRW/visit.
71% of women aged 20-39 prefer dessert cafes.
Solo diners account for 48% of cafe visits in urban areas.
Loyalty program users grew to 55% of total customers in 2023.
Regional visitors (non-Seoul) have 15% higher visit frequency.
34% of seniors (65+) visit cafes weekly for social reasons.
Couples represent 19% of evening cafe traffic.
High-income earners (>10M KRW/month) spend 2.3x more per visit.
52% of cafe-goers are influenced by Instagram posts.
Average visit duration is 65 minutes for women vs 52 for men.
28% of customers are families with children on weekends.
Foreign tourists make up 7% of cafe customers post-2023 recovery.
Pet owners (dog cafes) segment grew to 12% of visitors.
Average age of primary cafe customer is 29.4 years.
45-54 age group: 25% of customers, avg spend 8,500 KRW.
Men aged 25-34: 42% prefer black coffee.
Weekend family visits: 31% higher spending.
18-24 females: 65% choose iced lattes.
Rural customers: 2.1 visits/week vs urban 3.4.
55-64 group: 18% market, tea preference 40%.
Influencer-driven visits: 29% of under-30s.
Loyalty app downloads: 12 million users.
Health-conscious: 37% choose low-cal options.
Night owls (post-9PM): 14% of total traffic.

Consumer Demographics Interpretation

South Korea’s cafe scene is a meticulously caffeinated ecosystem where the young, the Instagrammed, and the loyalty-programmed converge, proving that a cup of coffee is less a drink and more a social currency, a dessert break, a remote office, and a solo date all served in a single, often iced, cup.

Financial Performance

Gross profit margin for cafes: 68.4% in 2023.
Operating expenses rose 6.1% to 12.3 trillion KRW industry-wide.
EBITDA for top 10 chains averaged 15.2% in 2023.
Coffee sales account for 52% of revenue, avg price 4,800 KRW.
Franchise fees average 2-5% of monthly sales.
Net profit per cafe: 18.7 million KRW annually.
Labor costs: 32% of total expenses in 2023.
Ingredient costs increased 11% due to coffee bean prices.
Top chain Ediya's revenue: 1.1 trillion KRW in 2023.
Starbucks Korea revenue: 2.03 trillion KRW, +8.9% YoY.
Break-even point for new cafes: 120M KRW annual sales.
Tax deductions for cafe investments: up to 30% in 2023.
ROI for cafe franchises: 18-25% within 2 years.
Credit card transactions: 76% of payments, fees avg 1.8%.
Subsidy claims for eco-friendly cafes: 450M KRW total.
Average debt ratio for cafes: 45% in 2023.
Sales tax revenue from cafes: 1.8 trillion KRW.
Non-coffee beverages contribute 28% to profits.
Plant-based milk sales up 34%, boosting margins by 5%.
Net margins for indies: 11.2% vs chains 14.5%.
Coffee bean import costs: up 9.2% to 1.1T KRW.
Marketing spend: 4.1% of revenue avg.
Cash flow positive cafes: 82%.
Loan interest rates for cafes: 4.2% avg.
Dividend payouts by public chains: 25% of profits.
Inflation impact: +5.3% on prices.
Venture capital in cafe startups: 180B KRW.
ARPU (avg revenue per user): 2,400 KRW/visit.
Bad debt from cafes: 0.8% of receivables.

Financial Performance Interpretation

The Korean cafe industry seems to be walking a tightrope between charging a premium for that perfect cup and watching their own premium coffee bean costs and labor bills climb, all while trying to keep everyone caffeinated and the cash flow positive.

Market Overview

In 2023, South Korea's cafe industry generated total revenue of 18.5 trillion KRW, up 7.8% from 2022.
The cafe market in South Korea grew at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2019 to 2023.
As of 2023, there were over 120,000 coffee shops operating in South Korea.
The specialty coffee segment accounted for 28% of the total cafe market share in 2023.
Cafe industry employment reached 450,000 workers in 2023, a 3.5% increase YoY.
Desserts and bakery items contributed 15.2% to cafe revenues in 2023.
Mobile ordering in cafes surged by 45% in 2023 compared to 2022.
The average cafe size in Seoul is 45 square meters as of 2023.
Franchise cafes represent 62% of all cafes in South Korea in 2023.
Per capita cafe visits in South Korea averaged 312 times per year in 2023.
Independent cafes grew by 2.1% in number nationwide in 2023.
Cafe export-related revenues (branded chains) hit 1.2 trillion KRW in 2023.
Urban cafes (Seoul metro) comprise 68% of national cafe count in 2023.
The cafe industry's contribution to GDP was 0.9% in 2023.
New cafe openings totaled 15,200 in 2023 across South Korea.
Cafe closures dropped to 8,500 in 2023 from 12,000 in 2022.
Average annual revenue per cafe was 154 million KRW in 2023.
Premium cafe segment grew 12.3% in 2023.
Total cafe seating capacity nationwide exceeded 2.1 million seats in 2023.
Cafe density in Seoul reached 1 cafe per 143 residents in 2023.
In 2023, the number of cafes in Busan reached 8,500.
Jeju Island cafes totaled 2,300 with 12% growth.
Daegu cafe market size: 450 billion KRW.
Incheon cafes: 5,200 outlets, avg revenue 140M KRW.
Gwangju regional growth: 4.8% in cafe numbers.
Nationwide cafe investment: 3.2 trillion KRW in 2023.
Export of Korean cafe franchises to 15 countries.
Cafe vending machines: 45,000 units installed.
Corporate cafe sponsorships: 120 billion KRW.

Market Overview Interpretation

South Korea runs on caffeine and capitalism, with over 120,000 coffee shops fueling a nation that visits them 312 times a year, proving that while sleep is optional, a meticulously crafted iced americano is an absolute economic necessity.

Operational Statistics

The average number of baristas per cafe is 3.2 FTEs.
Peak operating hours for cafes are 2-5 PM, accounting for 35% of sales.
78% of cafes use POS systems for transactions.
Average daily customers per cafe: 185 in Seoul, 112 rural.
Waste generation per cafe: 12kg/day, mostly packaging.
65% of cafes operate 7 days a week.
Delivery services contribute 22% of total sales in 2023.
Staff turnover rate in cafes: 28% annually.
Average menu item preparation time: 2.8 minutes.
41% of cafes have outdoor seating areas.
Electricity costs average 1.2 million KRW/month per cafe.
Self-roasting cafes: 14% of total, up 3% YoY.
WiFi usage by customers: 89% during visits.
Average rent for prime Seoul cafe location: 8.5M KRW/month.
Hygiene inspection pass rate: 92% for cafes in 2023.
Peak staffing: 150% of base during lunch rush.
33% of cafes offer takeout packaging options.
Music licensing fees average 450,000 KRW/year per cafe.
Average table turnover rate: 2.7 per day.
Training hours for baristas avg 120/year.
Inventory turnover: 8.2 times annually.
Customer satisfaction score: 4.3/5 avg.
Morning rush (7-10AM): 28% of daily sales.
Eco-packaging adoption: 71%.
Avg cafe opening hours: 11.5 hours/day.
Online reservation systems: 29% usage.
Monthly utility bills: 2.1M KRW avg.
Franchise training compliance: 95%.
Avg queue wait time: 3.2 minutes.
Starbucks outlets: 1,900 in Korea.
Ediya branches: 3,400 nationwide.
Paul Bassett cafes: 450 locations.

Operational Statistics Interpretation

While Korea's cafes are caffeine-fueled beacons of customer satisfaction and high-tech efficiency, they are perpetually caffeinated battlegrounds where baristas face a relentless churn of patrons and packaging waste, all while juggling oppressive rents and delivery apps that keep them brewing, cleaning, and training just to stay in the black.

Trends and Innovations

NFT loyalty programs adopted by 5% of chains, +12% retention.
Pet-friendly cafes increased by 22% in 2023.
Sustainability: 67% of cafes use recyclable cups.
AI menu recommenders in 18% of premium cafes.
Dessert fusion cafes (e.g., Korean-Western) up 41%.
Drive-thru cafes grew 15% in suburban areas.
Collagen latte sales surged 56% among women.
Board game cafes: 3,200 outlets, +9% YoY.
Zero-sugar beverages: 25% of menu in chain cafes.
VR experience cafes opened 150 new locations.
Local bean sourcing: 39% of specialty cafes.
Pop-up cafes with artists: 1,200 events in 2023.
NFC payment adoption: 82%, reducing wait times 20%.
Wellness cafes (yoga+coffee) up 28%.
Canned coffee market within cafes: +14% sales.
Gender-neutral restrooms in 56% of new cafes.
Metaverse cafe events: 500 virtual pop-ups.
Upcycled furniture in 23% of indie cafes.
ASMR coffee pouring videos boosted visits 18%.
Halal-certified cafes: 120 outlets for tourists.
Robot baristas in 45 cafes, cutting labor 30%.
Craft beer cafes: 850 outlets.
Silent study cafes: 2,100 locations.
NFT art cafe collaborations: 320 events.
Bio-degradable straws: 88% adoption.

Trends and Innovations Interpretation

Despite a mere 5% of chains dabbling in Web3 gimmicks, the Korean cafe scene is earnestly evolving to meet every conceivable need, from pet-friendly policies and robot baristas to wellness lattes and silent study spaces, proving that the real loyalty brew is a potent blend of convenience, novelty, and tangible social responsibility.

Sources & References

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