Haagen-Dazs Korea annual revenue tops 100bn won for first time
In short
Korea Haagen-Dazs posted revenue of 113.84 billion won in its 37th fiscal year (June 2025–May 2026), passing the 100 billion won mark for the first time, according to Financial Supervisory Service disclosure data cited by Maeil Business and Chosun Ilbo. That was up 15.6% from 98.498 billion won a year earlier. Maeil Business reported operating profit rose 3.9% to 3.159 billion won while the operating margin slipped to about 2.8% from 3.1%.
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Korea Haagen-Dazs reported annual revenue above 100 billion won for the first time, with 37th fiscal year (June 2025–May 2026) revenue of 113.84 billion won, Maeil Business and Chosun Ilbo reported, both citing the Financial Supervisory Service's electronic disclosure system. That was up 15.342 billion won, or 15.6%, from 98.498 billion won in the previous fiscal year, according to the same reports. [ 2 , 3 ]
Profitability did not grow as fast as revenue, Maeil Business reported: operating profit rose 3.9% to 3.159 billion won from 3.041 billion won, while the operating margin slipped to about 2.8% from about 3.1%. The outlet said the previous fiscal year had also been a record, with revenue rising about 12% from 87.8 billion won to 98.498 billion won. [ 2 ]
Maeil Business attributed the growth to brand recognition and a wider sales network, saying the company moved beyond premium stores into large discount stores, convenience stores and online channels, keeping its premium pricing while making products easier to buy during routine shopping. It added that competition in Korea's premium ice cream market is intensifying, with newer brands courting consumers through offline stores that sell space and experience alongside the product. [ 2 ]
The company was set up in 1991 as a 50-50 joint venture between the family of the late chairman Baek Jong-geun and US food company General Mills, Maeil Business reported, adding that actor Park Shin-yang married Baek Hye-jin, the late chairman's granddaughter, in 2002 — the connection behind the “Park Shin-yang's in-laws” label used in coverage. The same outlet reported a management change: founder's eldest son Baek Soon-seok stepped down as CEO in May and Baek Jae-yeon, born in 1985 and a third-generation member of the founding family, joined as co-CEO. [ 2 ]
Korea Economic Daily's 4 October item described the 36th fiscal year and said annual revenue approached 100 billion won, while its headline said the company had entered the “100 billion club” — a framing that differs from the 37th fiscal year figures of 113.84 billion won reported by the other outlets. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The result shows a premium-priced foreign-brand joint venture still growing in Korea despite high inflation and weak consumer spending, as the company expands from premium shops into discount stores, convenience stores and online. Maeil Business said competition in Korea's premium ice cream market is intensifying as newer brands push offline stores that sell space and experience, so holding the premium position while broadening distribution is the company's stated approach.
Key facts
- Korea Haagen-Dazs's 37th fiscal year revenue was 113.84 billion won (June 2025–May 2026). [ 2 , 3 ]
- It was the first time the company's annual revenue exceeded 100 billion won. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Revenue rose 15.342 billion won, or 15.6%, from 98.498 billion won in the previous fiscal year. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The figures were attributed to the Financial Supervisory Service's electronic disclosure system. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Operating profit rose 3.9% to 3.159 billion won from 3.041 billion won, and the operating margin fell to about 2.8% from about 3.1%, Maeil Business reported. [ 2 ]
- The company made its market debut as a 50-50 joint venture in 1991 between the family of the late chairman Baek Jong-geun and US food company General Mills, according to Maeil Business. [ 2 ]
- Maeil Business reported that founder's eldest son Baek Soon-seok stepped down as CEO in May and Baek Jae-yeon, born in 1985, became co-CEO. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Korea Haagen-Dazs recorded 113.84 billion won in revenue in its 37th fiscal year (June 2025–May 2026). [ 2 , 3 ]
- The company's annual revenue passed 100 billion won for the first time. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The prior fiscal year's revenue was 98.498 billion won, a 15.6% increase to the latest year. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The figures came from Financial Supervisory Service electronic disclosure data. [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- The reports differ on which fiscal year is being described: Korea Economic Daily referred to the 36th fiscal year and said annual revenue approached 100 billion won, while Maeil Business and Chosun Ilbo reported the 37th fiscal year at 113.84 billion won. Korea Economic Daily's headline said the company entered the “100 billion club” while its text said revenue approached 100 billion won, so the outlet's own framing and its fiscal year differ from the other reports.
- Operating profit of 3.159 billion won, the 3.9% rise and the margin decline to about 2.8% are reported only by Maeil Business. Single-source figures that no other document in the set states.
- Company history, the General Mills joint venture, the Park Shin-yang family connection and the May change of CEO are reported only by Maeil Business. Background carried by one outlet only, not corroborated elsewhere in the documents.
- The date of the disclosure cited differs: Korea Economic Daily cited Financial Supervisory Service electronic disclosure on the 21st, while Maeil Business cited disclosure data reported on the 4th. The documents do not make clear which disclosure date applies to which fiscal year.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Korea Economic Daily publishes its report on Korea Haagen-Dazs's record results, referring to the 36th fiscal year and revenue approaching 100 billion won. [ 1 ]
- Maeil Business reports 37th fiscal year revenue of 113.84 billion won, the first time above 100 billion won, citing Financial Supervisory Service data. [ 2 ]
- Chosun Ilbo reports the same 37th fiscal year revenue figure of 113.84 billion won. [ 3 ]
- Newsis reports that the company's Korean revenue passed 100 billion won for the first time. [ 4 ]