'Meeting with Experts' Series
Collaboration with Dongwha Pharm, CJ CheilJedang, and Nongshim
Unique Collaborative Products Gain Popularity Among Consumers
CU, a convenience store operated by BGF Retail, announced on the 3rd that it has launched five ready-to-eat meals using Ottogi's "Maekomaeyo Sauce," a blend of Sriracha and mayonnaise.
Maekomaeyo, introduced the previous day, is a sauce by Ottogi that combines Thai-style hot sauce Sriracha with mayonnaise. The five ready-to-eat meals CU is launching this time using Maekomaeyo sauce include "Spoonable Pizza (6,900 KRW)," "Tuna Kimbap (3,100 KRW)," "Tuna Triangle Kimbap (1,100 KRW)," "Chicken Burger (3,900 KRW)," and "Chicken Sandwich (3,600 KRW)."
The Maekomaeyo Spoonable Pizza features Maekomaeyo sauce drizzled over pizza cheese, creating a harmony of cheesy and spicy flavors. The Maekomaeyo Tuna Kimbap and Maekomaeyo Tuna Triangle Kimbap add Sriracha sauce to the taste of tuna mayo. The Maekomaeyo Chicken Burger is topped with Maekomaeyo sauce on a chicken thigh patty, while the Maekomaeyo Chicken Sandwich contains chicken toppings made with boiled chicken breast and Maekomaeyo sauce.
Since last month, CU has been enhancing its product competitiveness through strategic partnerships with domestic food and beverage manufacturers. In the past month, CU teamed up with Dongwha Pharmaceutical to release the health drink "One Bottle a Day," and with CJ CheilJedang to introduce refrigerated bread using brands like Bibigo and Hetbahn. On the 28th of last month, CU collaborated with Nongshim to launch a series of Jjapagetti ready meals.
This launch of collaborative products is described as an extension of CU's product strategy for this year, called "Meeting with Experts in Each Field (Delicious Encounters)." Previously, CU has also collaborated with Korea's first-generation barista Park Ichu, Chinese cuisine master Chef Yeo Kyung-ok, and master baker Song Young-kwang to enhance product quality.
Products developed in collaboration with experts in various fields and leading food and beverage companies have gained popularity among consumers. For example, the four-item Mala series (Mala Jjajang, Mala Jjamppong, Mala Jjajang Rice Bowl, Mala Jjamppong Rice Bowl) co-developed with Chef Yeo Kyung-ok sold 200,000 units; the four types of bread launched with master baker Song Young-kwang sold 400,000 units; and the two types of "One Bottle a Day" health drinks developed with Dongwha Pharmaceutical sold over 45,000 units.
Meanwhile, on the 4th, CU will also introduce two ready meals in collaboration with Chinese cuisine master Chef Yeo Kyung-ok: Oksabu Mala Chicken Gangjeong and Sichuan-style Mala Triangle Kimbap. "Mala Chicken Gangjeong (5,500 KRW)" is chicken gangjeong coated in mala sauce and topped with fragrant chili peppers and peanuts. "Sichuan-style Mala Triangle Kimbap (1,200 KRW)" contains white rice mixed with vegetables, pork, and spicy mala sauce.
Kim Jin-hoon, product planner (MD) of BGF Retail's ready meal team, said, "To provide customers with cost-effective meals at convenience stores, the top convenience store and leading domestic food manufacturers have come together to launch upgraded ready meals. Going forward, CU will continue to introduce trustworthy products through collaborations with various experts and brands."
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