[Report] "Daengdaeng, Let's Go to Starbucks"... Visiting the First Pet-Friendly Store

Starbucks 'Guri Galmae DT Branch' Opens on the 5th
'Industrial Convergence Regulatory Sandbox' Pilot Store
Convenient Separation of General and Dog-Accompanying Customers
Open Pet Lounge and Waste Bag Facilities Provided

"Yomiya, sit. Paw! Good. Mom will have some coffee now."

On the morning of the 5th, a customer at the Starbucks Guri Galmae DT branch in Guri-si, Gyeonggi Province, is enjoying ordered food and beverages with their dog in the 'Pet Zone,' a space where pets are allowed. Photo by Moon Hyewon

On the morning of the 5th, the Starbucks Guri Galmae DT branch in Guri-si, Gyeonggi-do was bustling all day with customers accompanied by their dogs. This store, officially opened on this day, is the first Starbucks in Korea where customers can dine with their pets. Starbucks received approval last year from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy's 'Industrial Convergence Regulatory Sandbox' to open this pilot store.

The store has 142 seats across the first and second floors. The first floor operates as an order and pickup area for drive-thru customers along with some seating. The second floor features a separate 50-pyeong (approximately 165 square meters) 'Pet Zone' exclusively for customers accompanied by pets, creating a space separated from general customers. Pet owners especially expressed great satisfaction with this arrangement.

Mr. Kim Nam-ju, a customer in his 40s from Seongdong-gu, Seoul, said, "I especially like the separation of space between customers with pets and general customers. When dining with pets, sometimes they suddenly bark loudly or behave unexpectedly, which makes me feel sorry for other customers, so I often have to leave quickly as if I were a culprit. But this store physically separates the spaces well and has good soundproofing, so I can relax and enjoy my time here."

Starbucks Guri Galmae DT Branch in Guri-si, Gyeonggi is divided into a 'Pet Zone' where customers can dine with their pets and a 'Cafe Zone' for general customers. Photo by Moon Hyewon

Starbucks was able to effectively separate the pet room and general customer areas by installing soundproof walls and double doors between the facilities. The separated spaces are equipped with sinks for cleaning up after eating, and the entrance walls display 'Petiquette' (etiquette to follow when with pets in public places) and other guidelines.

At the 'Pet Zone,' a pet-friendly dining area at Starbucks Guri Galmae DT branch in Guri-si, Gyeonggi-do, waste bags and pads are provided. Photo by Moon Hyewon

Customers with pets can enter the second floor through a dedicated external entrance on the first floor. This area is equipped with spacious amenities including pet-only chairs, booth seats, a waiting area to hang pet leashes, and a 20-pyeong open pet lounge. Pet water bowls, waste pads, and bags are placed throughout to enhance convenience for users. There is also a photo zone inspired by the Starbucks drive-thru in the pet-only space.

According to the recommendations of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, only dogs and cats are allowed to enter, but pets are restricted from the first floor where beverage preparation and sales take place.

On the morning of the 5th, at the Starbucks Guri Galmae DT branch in Guri-si, Gyeonggi-do, a customer temporarily placed their pet dog in the 'Waiting Room' set up at the entrance of the 'Pet Zone' to receive their ordered drink. Photo by Moon Hyewon

The first thing that catches the eye upon entering the Pet Zone is the 'Waiting Room.' This room allows customers with pets to temporarily leave their pets while picking up ordered food and drinks.

Ms. Choi Seo-yeon (pseudonym, 33 years old) from Mapo-gu, Seoul, said, "I visited alone and needed a place to temporarily leave my dog, so the waiting room was very convenient. However, even though it’s just for a short time, I felt uneasy leaving my dog alone without someone watching. If there were staff stationed there, I would feel more comfortable using this facility."

However, many customers expressed disappointment that the 'Puppuccino,' a drink for pets, has not yet been introduced. A Starbucks representative explained, "To sell Puppuccinos, a separate license related to pet food manufacturing is required, and registration as a manufacturer with the local government is necessary. Currently, this is not included in the regulatory sandbox. There are no precedents domestically, and many hurdles remain, but if demand is high, we may consider selling finished products."