From Coffee to Steak... Food Industry Strengthens Essential Survival Strategy: 'Contactless Service'

Subway 'Jeonju Songchon DT Branch' exterior view.

[Asia Economy Reporter Seungjin Lee] In the new year of 2021, as the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) continues, non-face-to-face services have become an essential survival strategy in the food distribution industry.

According to the food distribution industry on the 23rd, Subway opened the country's first drive-thru store, ‘Daegu Dongchon DT Branch,’ in Daegu last year, and recently opened the ‘Jeonju Songcheon DT Branch’ in Jeonju, expanding drive-thru stores mainly in provincial metropolitan cities. The characteristic is that customers can freely choose bread and toppings inside their cars just like in regular stores and order their own customized sandwiches according to their preferences.

Subway is strengthening delivery and in-store pickup services through its dedicated mobile app. By using the app, customers can quickly enjoy Subway through its own ordering services such as the pre-order service ‘Fast Sub’ and the delivery service ‘Home Sub.’ The Fast Sub service allows customers to complete ordering and payment within the app, reducing waiting time at the store. As of January, the Subway mobile app has surpassed 470,000 cumulative downloads.

CJ Foodville has expanded its delivery-only brand ‘VIPS Yum Delivery’ service to VIPS stores nationwide. Launched in August last year, ‘VIPS Yum Delivery’ is a premium delivery service brand optimized for delivery. Customers can conveniently enjoy VIPS signature menus such as steak, salmon salad, and hot Thai noodle salad, as well as set menus that include pizza, pork ribs, pasta, and desserts at home.

Starbucks is currently conducting a pilot delivery service through two stores, Yeoksam Emart Branch and Starlit Daechi Branch, since last year. After the pilot operation, they plan to fully review whether to implement the delivery service. Delivery orders are only possible through the Starbucks mobile app. Delivery can be ordered if the location is within a 1.5 km radius from the store. The delivery area can be confirmed by entering the delivery address.

Genesis BBQ launched a delivery and takeout specialized store called ‘BBQ Smart Kitchen (BSK).’ BSK stores are small-scale stores of about 8 to 12 pyeong (approximately 26 to 40 square meters), and delivery is operated by fully outsourcing to delivery agencies. It is not simply a small store or low-capital startup form but incorporates various industry infrastructures such as delivery app systems and open kitchens. BSK stores have surpassed 250 contracts within six months of launch.