Some side menu prices to rise up to 12.5%

Franchise supply prices also hiked; company calls adjustments 'minimal'

A Goobne Chicken outlet in Jeonnong-dong, Seoul. [G&Food]
A Goobne Chicken outlet in Jeonnong-dong, Seoul. [G&Food]

Goobne Chicken, which recently reduced the weight of its chicken portions instead of raising prices, is now hiking prices on some side menu items and increasing the supply prices it charges franchisees.

G&Food, the operator of Goobne Chicken, will raise prices on some side menu items — including spicy chicken feet and pasta — by up to 12.5 percent starting July 1, according to industry sources. The price of spicy chicken feet will increase 2,000 won, or 9.5 percent, from 21,000 won ($14) to 23,000 won, while Bolognese pasta will go up 300 won, or 4.5 percent, from 6,700 won to 7,000 won.

Garlic butter Cajun potatoes and quattro cheese Cajun potatoes will rise 500 won, or 10 percent, from 5,000 won to 5,500 won, and regular Cajun potatoes will increase 500 won, or 12.5 percent, from 4,000 won to 4,500 won. Spicy cheese rice cake and sausage skewers will go up 200 won, or 7.1 percent, from 2,800 won to 3,000 won.

Supply prices for items sold to franchisees will also be adjusted. Bags used for chicken and pizza will rise roughly 8 to 18 percent, while pickles will go up about 5 percent. Supply prices for the items receiving consumer price increases — spicy chicken feet, rice cake and sausage skewers, and Cajun potatoes — will also climb 5 to 9 percent.

In June, Goobne Chicken reduced the pre-cooked weight of its boneless drumstick menu items by 100 grams, from 800 grams to 700 grams, citing instability in chicken supply. Wing portions were trimmed from about 930 grams to 850 grams, and whole drumstick items from 905 grams to 820 grams. Although prices were not changed at the time, the moves drew criticism in some quarters as "shrinkflation."

"Continued increases in raw material and ancillary material costs made it unavoidable to adjust supply and consumer prices for some items," a G&Food official said. "The head office has absorbed a significant portion of the cost increases over time, and we have limited the adjustments to only some items in order to minimize the burden on franchisees and consumers."


korean@heraldcorp.com