Mega Coffee has overtaken Starbucks to become the most frequently visited food and beverage brand among Korean consumers.
According to data released March 11 by WiseApp·Retail, a real-time app and payment data analytics service, Starbucks ranked first in total payment value among major food and beverage retail brands over the six-month period from September 2024 to February 2025. The survey estimated consumer payment records based on credit and debit card transaction data.
With Starbucks's estimated payment value indexed at 100, Paris Baguette·Paris Croissant followed at 95.6, followed by Mega Coffee (53.5), McDonald's (52.9), and A Twosome Place (45.7). Lotteria (35.6), Compose Coffee (31.6), Burger King (29.5), and Tous Les Jours (29.3) also ranked among the top performers.
However, rankings shifted when measured by payment frequency. Mega Coffee recorded the highest average monthly transactions during the same period, reaching approximately 36 million payments per month.
Paris Baguette·Paris Croissant and Compose Coffee each followed with roughly 23 million monthly transactions, while Starbucks recorded approximately 20 million. McDonald's (17 million), A Twosome Place (12 million), Paik's Coffee (9 million), and Lotteria (9 million) trailed behind.
Mega Coffee also led in repeat purchase rate, a key indicator of customer loyalty. The brand's average repeat purchase rate over the past six months reached 45.4%, meaning nearly half of its customers returned to the brand.
Compose Coffee (41.9%), McDonald's (38.9%), Starbucks (36%), and Paris Baguette·Paris Croissant (34.1%) followed. Paik's Coffee (33.2%), Burger King (32.3%), Hansot Lunchbox (31.5%), KFC (28.5%), and Lotteria (25.7%) rounded out the rankings.
Industry analysts attribute the surge in payment frequency to the expansion of budget coffee brands. Lower prices and greater accessibility have driven repeat visits and increased usage frequency, according to analysts.
Premium coffee brands, meanwhile, maintain strong influence in total payment value due to higher average transaction amounts.