Ediya Coffee opens 2000th outlet

South Korea’s Ediya Coffee says it is the first Korean cafe chain to open its 2000th store.

The milestone comes just 15 years since the brand was founded in 2001.

Only last year did the chain open its 1500th store, demonstrating the rapid pace of the business’ expansion despite the crowded nature of the domestic cafe sector.

“Our 2000th shop was opened in Singal in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province,” the company said.

Market watchers credit the chain’s rapid growth to its low prices relative to rival brands like US-based Starbucks and Italy’s Pascucci.

“We thought we would achieve the 2000 mark in the second half of 2017, but it came sooner than expected,” a company spokesman said.