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Salad franchise outlets in South Korea grow at near fast-food pace, bank data shows
Versión 2: A third outlet, Maeil Business, has now matched the same bank data, adding no new figures, so the substance of the news is unchanged.
En breve
NH Nonghyup Bank said the number of outlets of five leading salad brands rose 13% last year from 2023, close to the 15% increase for six major fast-food brands. Women made up 70% of salad customers, with women in their 20s the largest group, while men in their 30s were the largest male group. The bank based the findings on about 2.06 million card payments by 630,000 customers.
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The number of salad franchise outlets in South Korea is growing at almost the same pace as fast-food outlets, according to data NH Nonghyup Bank released on 6 October. The bank said the outlet count for five representative salad brands — Salady, Slow Cali, Poke All Day, Togo Salad and Preppers Diet Food — rose 13% last year from 2023. Over the same period, outlets of six representative fast-food brands — KFC, No Brand Burger, Lotteria, Mom's Touch, Burger King and Frank Burger — rose 15%, which Yonhap described as a nearly similar level. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The findings are based on the bank's NH Nonghyup Card franchisee data and an analysis of about 2.06 million card payments made by 630,000 customers. Women accounted for 70% of salad customers and men 30%, the bank said. Yonhap reported that the increase in salad consumption is being led by women in their 20s and men in their 30s. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Among women, those in their 20s made up the largest share at 42.3%, followed by women in their 30s at 18.7%, in their 50s at 15.2% and in their 40s at 13%. Among men, those in their 30s were the largest group at 26.6%, followed by men in their 20s at 24%, in their 50s at 20%, in their 40s at 14.9% and those aged 60 or older at 12.5%. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The bank said the smaller share of customers in their 40s is likely because people in that age group tend to eat at home more often, including because of child-rearing, compared with those in their 30s and 50s. All three outlets repeated that explanation. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
On frequency, 79% of salad customers used salad outlets once a month, 12% twice a month and 9% three or more times a month, meaning 21% used them twice a month or more, Yonhap and Kyunghyang Shinmun reported. [ 1 , 2 ]
Average monthly spending per customer last year was 15,000 won for those visiting once, 16,000 won for twice and 19,000 won for three or more times, so those who visited more often also spent more on average. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Por qué importa
The figures, released by a major commercial bank, offer a franchise-sector read on consumer spending shifting toward health-oriented food, relevant to both salad and fast-food operators weighing store expansion. Because the data come from a single card issuer's franchisee and payment records, they describe that issuer's customers rather than the whole market.
Datos clave
- NH Nonghyup Bank said the number of franchise outlets of five representative salad brands — Salady, Slow Cali, Poke All Day, Togo Salad and Preppers Diet Food — rose 13% last year compared with 2023. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Over the same period, outlets of six representative fast-food brands — KFC, No Brand Burger, Lotteria, Mom's Touch, Burger King and Frank Burger — increased 15%. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The bank analysed about 2.06 million of its card payments made by 630,000 customers. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Women accounted for 70% of salad customers and men 30%. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Among women, those in their 20s were the largest group at 42.3%, followed by those in their 30s at 18.7%; among men, those in their 30s were the largest group at 26.6%, followed by those in their 20s at 24%. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- 79% of salad customers used salad outlets once a month; 12% twice a month and 9% three times or more, so 21% visited twice a month or more. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Monthly average spending per customer was 15,000 won for one visit, 16,000 won for two and 19,000 won for three or more. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The bank said the smaller share of customers in their 40s is likely because they tend to eat at home more often, including for child-rearing, than those in their 30s and 50s. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Confirmado por varias fuentes
- The number of outlets of five representative salad brands grew 13% last year from 2023, and those of six fast-food brands grew 15% over the same period, according to NH Nonghyup Bank. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Salad customers were 70% women and 30% men, based on the bank's analysis of about 2.06 million card payments by 630,000 people. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Women in their 20s and men in their 30s formed the largest customer groups by age and gender. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The bank said the relatively smaller share of customers in their 40s is likely because they tend to eat at home more often, for reasons such as raising children. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Aún sin aclarar
- Whether the 13% and 15% growth rates cover the same reporting period in full. The outlets describe the comparison as last year against 2023 but give no exact start and end dates for the outlet counts.
- How representative the findings are of the wider South Korean salad and fast-food market. The figures come from one bank's card franchisee and payment data, which all three outlets identify as the source.
- How much of salad demand is driven by health concerns rather than other factors. All three outlets attribute the trend to consumers who value health, but no document cites survey or sales evidence beyond the outlet and card data.