Gen Zers, millennials opt for bars, Gen Xers flock to fast-food chains

A bar serving draft beer is bustling with customers in this photo taken in 2021. Newsis

A bar serving draft beer is bustling with customers in this photo taken in 2021. Newsis

By Yi Whan-woo

Koreans in their 20s and 30s are the largest patrons of bars and cafes among all age groups, while those in their 40s and 50s tend to frequent fast food restaurants and snack bars, according to a report released Sunday.

The report by Korea Credit Data, a data provider for merchants, revealed that individuals in their 30s accounted for 28.8 percent of sales at bars in June.

It also showed that individuals in their 20s accounted for 23.6 percent of sales at bars.

The KCD said "individuals in their 20s and 30s combined accounted for 52.4 percent of sales at bars."

Those in their 40s accounted for 24.5 percent of sales, followed by those in their 50s at 16.4 percent and those in their 60s and older at 5.3 percent.

The report was based on sales records of about 60,000 restaurants, bars, cafes, bakeries and other food and beverage establishments nationwide where people can eat and drink.

For cafes, 28.8 percent of sales came from individuals in their 30s, while another 17.7 percent came from those in their 20s.

The two groups combined took up 46.5 percent of all sales.

The figure was higher than that of 40-somethings at 25.5 percent, those in their 50s at 18.3 percent and those 60 and and older at 8.3 percent.

The 40- and 50-somethings spent more than other age groups at fast food restaurants and snack bars, according to the KCD.

It pointed out that those in their 40s accounted for 27 percent of the sales at fast food joints, followed by those in their 50s at 26 percent.

The combined 53 percent share from these two groups was higher than the collective share of 31.5 percent from the younger peers — 11.7 percent from 20-somethings and 19.8 percent from 30-somethings.

For snack bars, 40-somethings comprised 29.6 percent of the sales and 50-somethings took up 22.4 percent for a combined share of 52 percent.

Those in their 20s accounted for 14 percent, and those in their 30s took up 21.6 percent, resulting in a combined share of 35.6 percent.

"It appears the middle-aged Koreans eat food that is served fast and does not cost much," the KCD said.

By gender, men accounted for 64.8 percent of the sales at bars, 61 percent at fast food restaurants and 62.5 percent at Korean restaurants.

Women were more into foreign cuisine, taking up 55.3 percent of the sales at Western restaurants and 51.9 percent at restaurants serving non-Korean Asian food. They also accounted for 54.8 percent of the sales at bakeries and dessert shops.

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