CU to introduce barcode-scanning 'Smart Cooker' oven units, about 500 initially
In short
Convenience store chain CU said on 20 October that it will introduce the Smart Cooker (스마트쿠커), a device combining microwave, air fryer and oven functions. Customers scan a product barcode and the device applies a preset cooking method. CU plans about 500 units at first, in university areas, one-room housing clusters and similar locations.
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CU said on 20 October that it will introduce the Smart Cooker (스마트쿠커), a device that combines microwave, air fryer and oven functions in one unit. The company described it as the first of its kind in the convenience store industry. Asia Economy and Newsis reported that the introduction takes place on 22 October. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
A customer scans a product's barcode, and the device cooks the item according to a method set in advance. Newsis and Korea Economic Daily reported that CU's merchandisers (MDs) set the methods beforehand, using the microwave function for food that needs quick heating and the air fryer or oven for food that should be crisp. Asia Economy and Newsis said the device can also heat food in the microwave first and finish it in the air fryer or oven. Customers do not need to enter cooking time or temperature, according to Asia Economy, Newsis and Korea Economic Daily. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
About 1,000 cooking methods can be set, and they can be updated over Wi-Fi, so new products can be added. Asia Economy and Korea Economic Daily reported that CU ran an internal test in which more than 90% of participating employees said food cooked in the Smart Cooker was better than food cooked the conventional way. The documents do not say how many employees took part. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
CU will first install about 500 units in areas with many customers in their 20s and 30s and one-person households. Asia Economy and Newsis list university districts, one-room housing clusters and officetels. The company plans to extend the devices to more stores depending on operating results and customer reaction. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
CU is also launching 12 products dedicated to the device, covering bakery items, pizza, pasta and chicken. Newsis, Asia Economy and Korea Economic Daily list 2 pita breads, 4 pizzas (corn cheese, pepperoni, bulgogi and potato) and 2 chicken items. The documents differ on timing. Newsis said the products have been rolling out in sequence since 13 October, while Yonhap said they are planned to be released in sequence. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Jin Young-ho (진영호), head of the merchandise and overseas business division at BGF Retail, said the Smart Cooker is part of CU's food-tech strategy and should raise the quality of the convenience store food experience, according to Asia Economy and Korea Economic Daily. Yonhap quoted a BGF Retail official making a similar statement. Newsis and Korea Economic Daily said CU expects to move from lunch boxes, instant noodles and similar items toward pizza, bakery and frozen chicken. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Why it matters
CU expects the device to widen the range of hot food it sells beyond lunch boxes, instant noodles and frozen dumplings, according to Newsis and Korea Economic Daily. CU said it will decide on a wider rollout after seeing operating results and customer reactions.
Key facts
- CU said on 20 October that it will introduce the Smart Cooker (스마트쿠커), which combines microwave, air fryer and oven functions, and called it an industry first. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Asia Economy and Newsis reported that the introduction takes place on 22 October. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The device applies a preset cooking method when a customer scans a product's barcode, so no cooking time or temperature has to be entered. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- CU will first install about 500 units in areas with many people in their 20s and 30s and one-person households, such as university districts and one-room housing clusters. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- About 1,000 cooking methods can be set, and they can be updated over Wi-Fi. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- CU is launching 12 dedicated products, including 2 pita breads, 4 pizzas and 2 chicken items. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- In an internal test, more than 90% of participating employees rated food from the device as better than food cooked the conventional way, according to two outlets. [ 1 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- CU announced on 20 October that it will introduce the Smart Cooker, combining microwave, air fryer and oven functions, and called it the first in the convenience store industry. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Scanning a product barcode applies a preset cooking method automatically. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- CU will first introduce about 500 units in university districts, one-room housing areas and similar locations, and expand to more stores depending on operating results and customer reaction. [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]
- CU is launching 12 dedicated products, including bakery items, pizza, pasta and chicken. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- Whether the Smart Cooker is the first of its kind in the convenience store industry. The claim comes from CU's own announcement, repeated by all four outlets; none gives independent confirmation.
- How the internal test result was measured. Two outlets cite that more than 90% of participating employees rated the food better; they do not give the number of participants or the method.
- Whether the 12 dedicated products have already gone on sale. Newsis says they have been released in sequence since 13 October, while Yonhap says they are planned to be released in sequence.
- How many stores will get the devices and how quickly the rollout will widen. The documents give only the initial figure of about 500 units and say expansion depends on results and customer reaction.