Kyochon, Paris Baguette, and Lotteria to Give 7-Day Advance Notice for Price Increases... Fair Trade Commission Signs Agreement with 7 Food Service Companies

Mandatory Notification Agreement: One-Week Advance Notice on Company Websites and Media

Participation from Kyochon, BBQ, BHC, Paris Baguette, and More... In-Store Notice Requirements Included

Going forward, major dining franchises such as Kyochon Chicken, BBQ, and Lotteria will be required to notify consumers at least one week in advance if they plan to raise prices or reduce product quantities.

The Fair Trade Commission announced on February 27 that it has signed an "information disclosure agreement on price increases" with seven dining service companies: Kyochon F&B, Dining Brands Group, Lotte GRS, BR Korea, CJ Foodville, Genesis BBQ, and Paris Croissant.

Under this agreement, these companies must inform consumers through their websites or the media at least one week in advance when they increase the prices of dining products or reduce their quantities. If a large number of items are affected, the average increase rate by product group must be disclosed.

The seven participating companies collectively own some of the most popular brands among Korean consumers. In the chicken industry, Kyochon F&B (Kyochon Chicken) and Genesis BBQ (BBQ) have joined the agreement. Dining Brands Group operates BHC, Keunmam Halmae Sundaeguk, Outback Steakhouse, Chango43, and Gram Gram, among others. In the bakery, pastry, and coffee sectors, Paris Croissant (Paris Baguette, Paris Croissant, Pascucci) and BR Korea (Baskin Robbins, Dunkin) are included. For fast food and restaurant brands, Lotte GRS (Lotteria, Angel-in-us, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts) and CJ Foodville (Tous Les Jours, VIPS, Cheiljemyunso, etc.) are also participants, covering the entire dining market.

This agreement also includes measures to promote cooperation with franchisees, not just head office-level announcements. The headquarters must fully consult with franchise store owners before raising the recommended retail price. When franchisees actually increase retail prices, they are to be educated and encouraged to post announcements in stores to minimize consumer confusion. The Fair Trade Commission plans to provide incentives, such as awarding additional points in the "evaluation of fair trade agreement compliance in the franchise sector," to companies that faithfully implement the agreement.

Joo Byunggi, Chairman of the Fair Trade Commission, stated, "The active participation of major domestic dining companies in this agreement is a decision to help alleviate the difficulties faced by the public due to rising dining costs and a lack of transparency," and added, "As recent price distortions in raw materials such as sugar and flour are being resolved, I ask that the seven companies make special efforts so that the public can feel the positive effects."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.