Seoul: Starbucks Korea has announced its plan to open at least 100 new outlets this year, maintaining its expansion momentum in South Korea, Asia's fourth-largest economy. The Seattle-based coffee giant, which first entered the South Korean market in 1999 in partnership with the local retail conglomerate Shinsegae Group, continues to solidify its presence in the region.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Starbucks Korea operated 2,115 stores nationwide at the end of 2025, making it the company's third-largest market by store count after the United States and China. The number of Starbucks locations in South Korea has consistently grown over the past several years, with over 100 new stores opening annually since 2022. The chain reported store counts of 1,777 in 2022, 1,893 in 2023, and 2,009 in 2024.
A company official stated that the expansion will include Special Store locations, designed to appeal to local consumers and drive growth. These Special Stores are situated in unique settings, such as scenic areas, repurposed spaces like former factories and theaters, and locations connected to traditional markets and local communities.
In addition to expanding its physical presence, Starbucks Korea has enhanced its marketing strategies. Innovations include replacing the name-calling pickup system with vibrating pagers for order notifications at select stores, as well as offering Starbucks beverages through popular delivery platforms Baedal Minjok (Baemin) and Coupang Eats.
Financially, Starbucks Korea reported an operating profit of 173 billion won (US$119 million) in 2025, reflecting a 9.3 percent decrease from the previous year's 190.8 billion won. The decline was attributed to rising raw material costs, exacerbated by a weaker won against the U.S. dollar, which increased import expenses for coffee beans and other materials. Despite these challenges, sales increased by 4.4 percent year-on-year, reaching 3.24 trillion won from 3.1 trillion won.
Currently, Shinsegae Group's discount chain Emart Inc. holds a 67.5 percent stake in Starbucks Korea, with the remaining 32.5 percent owned by Singapore's sovereign wealth fund GIC.