Cafe Manwolgyeong Freezes Coffee Prices for 4 Years... "Joining Efforts for Price Stability"

Decision Made Considering Price Burden of All Coffee Menu Including Americano
in Shopping Cart

As international coffee bean prices soar, coffee brands are raising their prices one after another, but the cafe franchise Manwolgyeong announced on the 13th that it will not raise coffee prices. Prices have been frozen for four years since September 2021.

Interior view of Cafe Manwolgyeong. [Photo by Cafe Manwolgyeong]

Due to recent abnormal weather, coffee bean yields worldwide have deteriorated, causing local bean prices to soar to record highs. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, as of last month, Robusta beans were priced at $3.67 per kg, and Arabica beans at $2.01 per pound. This represents an increase of 40.6% and 7.5%, respectively, compared to the same month last year.

As some coffee brands raise prices accordingly, consumers are concerned that low-cost coffee franchises and specialty coffee shops may all raise prices simultaneously.

Kim Jaehwan, CEO of Manwolgyeong, said, “Since we officially started the franchise business in September 2021, we have frozen the prices of coffee beverages, including Americano, and the prices of beans supplied to franchise stores for four years. Although the overall production cost burden has increased due to rising prices of major raw materials, parts, and logistics costs, we have no plans to raise coffee prices in the future to stabilize consumers’ grocery expenses.”

Manwolgyeong’s menu prices are 1,500 won for Americano, 2,300 won for Cafe Latte, 2,900 won for Cafe Mocha, and 3,100 won for Caramel Macchiato.

Manwolgyeong currently operates 310 branches nationwide, including 8 directly managed stores.