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Report Overview
The South Korea fast food market was valued at USD 18.88 Billion in 2025. The surge in late-night delivery orders, particularly among the country’s single-person households and Gen Z consumers, is widening operational expansion among QSR chains in dense urban zones. As a result, the market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.60% during the forecast period of 2026-2035 to reach a value of USD 29.60 Billion by 2035.
Notably, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced the “Strategic Plan for K-Food Plus Export Innovation” to respond to a rapidly changing global trend and trade environment, promoting South Korean fast-food adaptations in domestic and international markets. In 2025, the government invested USD 1 billion into SMEs innovating in beauty and food products helping street food brands introduce AI-driven kiosks and meat-alternative dishes.
The Sout Korea fast food market growth is also fuelled by rising consumer demand for quick, spicy, and innovative meals. The fast food trend is not only shaped by convenience but also by evolving tastes, especially among urban millennials and Gen Z. Major fast food chains like Lotteria and Mom’s Touch are revamping menus to reflect local preferences over westernised offerings.
Moreover, domestic giants are collaborating with delivery apps like Baedal Minjok and Yogiyo to boost real-time ordering. The market also observes an increasing inclination towards sustainability, with brands adopting biodegradable packaging after Seoul's 2024 regulation on voluntary single-use plastics in eateries. Though the regulation is voluntary, young consumers in South Korea resonate well with this trend.
2025
Base Year
2019-2025
Historical Period
2026-2035
Forecast Period
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In South Korea, approximately 48.8% of Seoul residents consume fast food one to three times a month, while around 23.1% almost never eat fast food.
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The fast food market growth is driven by factors like busy lifestyles, single households, and the appeal of convenience and variety in fast food options.
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South Korea's high urbanisation rate, with 91.8% of its population residing in cities, has significantly contributed to the growth of its fast food market.
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The country has witnessed a significant surge in online food delivery transactions, which reached 25.7 trillion won in 2021, representing a ninefold increase over a four-year period.
Competitive Landscape
The South Korea fast food market players are increasingly focusing on digitisation, regional flavour customisation, and sustainable sourcing. Franchise scalability, combined with hyper-local delivery logistics, presents opportunities especially in the QSR and cloud kitchen space. Leading firms are also investing in AI-driven demand prediction, robotic kitchen automation, and green packaging R&D. In addition, firms are focused on adding fresh ingredients, finding low-calorie alternatives, and menu innovation to attract customers and stay competitive in the industry.
Collaborations between tech startups and food giants are becoming common. For example, South Korea fast food companies like Woowa Brothers (Baedal Minjok) are investing in autonomous delivery pods for fast food chains in smart cities like Pangyo. There is also an opportunity in white-label production for international K-food exports. Players that can balance speed, taste, technology, and sustainability are expected to gain competitive edge in the coming years.
Lotteria Corporation
Lotteria Corporation was established in February 1972 in Tokyo, Japan, and later expanded to Seoul, South Korea in 1979. Company’s menu includes popular fast-food items such as burgers, French fries, fried chicken, chicken wings, and chicken fingers.
McDonald's Corporation
McDonald's Corporation was founded in 1940 and is headquartered in Illinois, United States. The company is a global fast-food chain known for its iconic menu items such as Big Macs, Quarter Pounders, Chicken McNuggets, and world-famous French fries. McDonald's also offers a variety of breakfast items, salads, desserts, and beverages.
KFC Corporation
KFC Corporation was founded in 1930 and is headquartered in Kentucky, United States. KFC's menu includes a variety of chicken products such as original recipe chicken, extra crispy chicken, and kentucky grilled chicken, along with sides like mashed potatoes, coleslaw, and biscuits.
Shake Shack Inc.
Shake Shack Inc. was founded in July 2004 in New York City, United States, and is headquartered in the same city. The fast casual restaurant chain is known for its hamburgers, hot dogs, French fries, chicken, milkshakes, custards, beer, and wine, with the ShackBurger being its most famous product. Shake Shack is now operating over 400 locations globally.
Other key players in the market are Toast Co., Ltd., Mom’s Touch Global, and Burger King Corporation, among others.
South Korea Fast Food Market Report Snapshots
*While we strive to always give you current and accurate information, the numbers depicted on the website are indicative and may differ from the actual numbers in the main report. At Expert Market Research, we aim to bring you the latest insights and trends in the market. Using our analyses and forecasts, stakeholders can understand the market dynamics, navigate challenges, and capitalize on opportunities to make data-driven strategic decisions.*
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Key Questions Answered in the Report
The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.60% between 2026 and 2035.
Key strategies driving the market include investing in modular kitchens, partnering with local tech, scaling through hybrid QSR-catering models, and adopting AI for menu innovation.
The rising disposable income, the emergence of coffee culture, busy lifestyles, the prevalence of online transactions and doorstep delivery are the key trends aiding market expansion.
Fast food is popular due to its convenience, affordability, and quick service, catering to busy lifestyles and offering a wide variety of flavourful options.
Provinces considered in the market are North Chungcheong, South Chungcheong, Gangwon, Gyeonggi, North Gyeongsang, South Gyeongsang, North Jeolla, South Jeolla, and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province.
Based on end user, the market is divided into full-service restaurants, quick service restaurants, caterings, and others.
The different type of fast food in the industry are spicy rice cakes, chicken cup, fish cakes, kimbap, blood sausage, donuts, and Korean pancakes, among others.
The key players in the market include Mom’s Touch Global, Lotteria Corporation, Mc Donald’s Corporation, KFC Corporation, Isaac Toast Co., Ltd., Burger King Corporation, and Shake Shack Inc., among others.
In 2025, the South Korea fast food market reached an approximate value of USD 18.88 Billion.
The market is estimated to witness a healthy growth in the forecast period of 2026-2035 to reach about USD 29.60 Billion by 2035.
The key challenges are balancing fast production with health compliance, rising cost of logistics, and staff shortages in cloud kitchens.
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