Drive-thru stores on rise in S. Korea

U.S. fast food chain McDonald’s, which opened its first drive-thru store in the country in 1992, operates 187 drive-thru stores, according to company data. The figure accounts for nearly half of its stores in Korea.

“We’ve seen a rise in customers using drive-thru stores in suburban areas,” said a company official, adding that the fast food chain plans to raise the portion of drive-thru stores to 70 percent.

Other franchise chains are also expanding their drive-thru stores. U.S. coffee franchise Starbucks operates 34 drive-thru stores, while local fast food chain Lotteria runs 46 drive-thru stores.

The growing popularity of drive-thru stores has prompted non-food franchises to also open them. In April, Lotte Supermarket, an affiliate of retail conglomerate Lotte, adopted a drive-thru store where customers can do their grocery shopping.

The trend comes as retailers are grappling to secure new growth engines amid sluggish domestic demand and rising competition. With the exception of duty-free stores, most retail channels are facing slowing growth as consumers shop from overseas or shop online.