Daily Beer, the Craft Beer Platform Transforming Korea's Beer Culture
2024
Hankook Ilbo
Author
생활맥주
Date
2024-02-05 11:06
Views
10
"The reason many restaurant brands have short lifespans can be summed up by the saying, 'A tanghulu shop next to another tanghulu shop,'" said Sangjin Lim, CEO of Daily Beer, the company behind Korea's craft beer franchise Daily Beer. "Once a successful brand is copied by competitors, its identity becomes diluted. Daily Beer has remained successful for more than a decade because we chose a platform business model that is difficult to replicate."
Speaking at the company's headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, Lim reflected on Daily Beer's journey since opening its first store in 2014. Over the past decade, the brand has grown into one of Korea's leading craft beer franchises, operating more than 260 locations nationwide, including 46 company-owned stores.
Despite its long history in the restaurant industry, Daily Beer continues to attract new franchisees. More than 50 new locations opened last year alone. The company also posted strong financial performance, reporting KRW 29.5 billion in revenue and KRW 4.4 billion in operating profit, nearly doubling its results from the previous year.
Daily Beer Positions Itself as a Beer Platform
Lim emphasized that Daily Beer should be viewed not simply as a franchise but as a platform business. The company collaborates with more than 50 local craft breweries across Korea, offering a wide range of independently brewed craft beers.
Unlike conventional franchise systems, Daily Beer allows each store owner to choose which craft beers to serve based on local customer preferences rather than requiring a standardized lineup. As a result, the company functions as a distribution platform where breweries can compete and showcase their products. Nearly 60 of Korea's approximately 170 craft breweries currently collaborate with Daily Beer.
"Through the Daily Beer platform, breweries are able to develop beers that better match market demand," Lim explained.
Supporting Local Breweries
One of Daily Beer's key initiatives is its "Drink Local Beer!" campaign, which helps small regional breweries overcome challenges related to sales, distribution, and marketing. Through the program, selected craft beers are introduced at major Daily Beer locations, allowing consumers to experience local breweries without traveling to their facilities.
To date, the campaign has hosted 26 editions featuring more than 20 breweries.
The company also established the Korea Craft Brewers Club (KCBC), an organization that brings together Korean craft brewers through educational seminars, collaborative brewing projects, and networking events to promote the growth of the domestic craft beer industry.
Helping Shape Korea's Beer Culture
Lim believes Daily Beer has played an important role in changing how Koreans experience beer.
"In the past, people simply ordered 'draft beer' or 'a 500cc beer' at pubs," he said. "Daily Beer introduced the idea that choosing your beer can be part of the experience."
He noted that today's beer market is driven by consumers seeking new and experimental flavors, much like the popularity of limited-time pop-up stores. Reflecting this trend, Daily Beer offers around 30 different craft beers across its locations, including sour ales, lightly salted lagers, and even chocolate stouts.
Accelerating Global Expansion
This year marks a major milestone as Daily Beer expands overseas with its first international store in Singapore.
Following a joint venture agreement signed with Singapore-based Katrina Group, the company plans to brew craft beer locally using Korean yeast while maintaining the brand's Korean identity.
"Being authentically Korean is our greatest competitive advantage," Lim said. "We'll keep our Korean brand name, 'Daily Beer,' and introduce Korean craft beer to global consumers using Korean yeast."
The company is also preparing for an initial public offering (IPO). Lim said the capital raised through a future listing will support overseas expansion, including plans to open company-owned locations in the United States.
Speaking at the company's headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, Lim reflected on Daily Beer's journey since opening its first store in 2014. Over the past decade, the brand has grown into one of Korea's leading craft beer franchises, operating more than 260 locations nationwide, including 46 company-owned stores.
Despite its long history in the restaurant industry, Daily Beer continues to attract new franchisees. More than 50 new locations opened last year alone. The company also posted strong financial performance, reporting KRW 29.5 billion in revenue and KRW 4.4 billion in operating profit, nearly doubling its results from the previous year.
Daily Beer Positions Itself as a Beer Platform
Lim emphasized that Daily Beer should be viewed not simply as a franchise but as a platform business. The company collaborates with more than 50 local craft breweries across Korea, offering a wide range of independently brewed craft beers.
Unlike conventional franchise systems, Daily Beer allows each store owner to choose which craft beers to serve based on local customer preferences rather than requiring a standardized lineup. As a result, the company functions as a distribution platform where breweries can compete and showcase their products. Nearly 60 of Korea's approximately 170 craft breweries currently collaborate with Daily Beer.
"Through the Daily Beer platform, breweries are able to develop beers that better match market demand," Lim explained.
Supporting Local Breweries
One of Daily Beer's key initiatives is its "Drink Local Beer!" campaign, which helps small regional breweries overcome challenges related to sales, distribution, and marketing. Through the program, selected craft beers are introduced at major Daily Beer locations, allowing consumers to experience local breweries without traveling to their facilities.
To date, the campaign has hosted 26 editions featuring more than 20 breweries.
The company also established the Korea Craft Brewers Club (KCBC), an organization that brings together Korean craft brewers through educational seminars, collaborative brewing projects, and networking events to promote the growth of the domestic craft beer industry.
Helping Shape Korea's Beer Culture
Lim believes Daily Beer has played an important role in changing how Koreans experience beer.
"In the past, people simply ordered 'draft beer' or 'a 500cc beer' at pubs," he said. "Daily Beer introduced the idea that choosing your beer can be part of the experience."
He noted that today's beer market is driven by consumers seeking new and experimental flavors, much like the popularity of limited-time pop-up stores. Reflecting this trend, Daily Beer offers around 30 different craft beers across its locations, including sour ales, lightly salted lagers, and even chocolate stouts.
Accelerating Global Expansion
This year marks a major milestone as Daily Beer expands overseas with its first international store in Singapore.
Following a joint venture agreement signed with Singapore-based Katrina Group, the company plans to brew craft beer locally using Korean yeast while maintaining the brand's Korean identity.
"Being authentically Korean is our greatest competitive advantage," Lim said. "We'll keep our Korean brand name, 'Daily Beer,' and introduce Korean craft beer to global consumers using Korean yeast."
The company is also preparing for an initial public offering (IPO). Lim said the capital raised through a future listing will support overseas expansion, including plans to open company-owned locations in the United States.