Price hikes at franchises prompt Korean consumers to reconsider fast food
Published: 16 Mar. 2026, 09:00
Updated: 16 Mar. 2026, 19:19
![A KFC store [AP/YONHAP]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/16/3b25ef0f-42b6-4a9b-b7b1-be73264a98fa.jpg)
A KFC store [AP/YONHAP]
Food prices in Korea are starting to rise as high oil prices and a weakening won increase costs for fast food chains that rely on imported ingredients, prompting restaurants to raise menu prices.
At a KFC restaurant in Yeongdeungpo District, western Seoul, the lunchtime rush appeared relatively quiet on Sunday.
The price of KFC’s signature Original Chicken showed 3,600 won ($2.50) per piece — about 100 to 120 grams (3.5 to 4.2 ounces) including the bone — on a kiosk. The price rose about 9 percent from 3,300 won per piece after KFC Korea raised prices on Friday.
“I often bought KFC chicken because it was cheaper than specialty chicken restaurants, but now choosing three pieces costs more than 10,000 won, which feels expensive,” said customer Shin Jeong-eun.
Concerns about rising consumer prices are growing as the war between the United States, Israel and Iran continues for more than two weeks.
High oil prices and the weak won are increasing costs for industries that rely on imported ingredients. Restaurant chains that use foreign food materials and airlines that add fuel surcharges to ticket prices are now facing pressure to raise prices.
KFC Korea raised prices on 23 menu items including chicken and sandwiches, increasing prices by about 200 to 300 won per item.
“The prolonged period of a weak won has pushed up costs for raw materials and logistics, which led us to adjust prices for some menu items,” the company said.
The government has emphasized its commitment to stabilizing consumer prices, but other burger chains also say price increases are difficult to avoid because of higher labor costs and the weak won.
![A McDonald's store in Seoul [YONHAP]](https://koreaseafood.online/data/photo/2026/03/16/db94b2e8-e946-4b37-a33b-2264e3551e15.jpg)
A McDonald's store in Seoul [YONHAP]
Burger King and McDonald’s Korea recently raised prices on 49 and 35 menu items, respectively. Mom’s Touch also increased prices for 43 individual menu items starting this month.
Most companies raised prices by about 2 to 4 percent on average.
“Restaurant franchises that rely heavily on imported ingredients face greater cost pressure when the won weakens, so many are raising prices in advance to reduce potential losses,” said Lee Hong-joo, a professor of consumer economics at Sookmyung Women’s University. “The price increases will likely spread across the restaurant industry.”
This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY NOH YU-RIM [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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