Chapter 89
Chapter 89
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 89
Chapter Title: Secrets of Songdabang's Low Prices
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"The coffee price includes the 'seat value' based on this turnover rate."
Park Junsu widened his eyes. He'd vaguely thought the price was just about the cost of the beans, but he'd never calculated it this meticulously.
"It's called seat value, but in the end, it's basically rent. Most cafes are on the first floor of busy streets, so the rent burden is heavy."
I see.
Park Junsu nodded slowly. Thinking of it that way made the mysterious 'seat value' feel much clearer.
"In that sense, this is a model that minimizes seat value to an extreme."
"Ah, because the store is small?"
"That's part of it. Songdabang is primarily a takeout specialty shop, so the store size is small, and there are only a few tables inside."
Song Wooyeun explained that future franchise locations would follow a similar format. Of course, they'd vary slightly depending on the local market.
"With a small store, rent is low, and since it's takeout-focused, turnover is high."
By minimizing seat value that way, they could still turn a profit even selling coffee cheaply.
"I see. Takeout specialty shops have that advantage."
Park Junsu showed a hint of regret. The cafe he dreamed of opening later was one with a cozier atmosphere.
He wanted more in-store customers than takeout.
'Good that I asked for know-how, but it doesn't apply to me.'
That thought showed plainly on his face. Song Wooyeun smiled and tossed out casually,
"Planning to open a cafe later?"
"Huh? Ah~. Haha, yes. If possible."
"There are plenty of ways to boost turnover even without being a takeout-only spot."
"Really?"
Song Wooyeun nodded emphatically.
They might feel unfamiliar now, but in his previous life, these were common strategies.
"The most classic one is making the seats uncomfortable."
"Pardon? The seats?"
"Cafe tables and chairs usually follow standard sizes. There's a 'national rule' for the dimensions and heights that feel comfortable to people."
In the past, they'd stick to those standards to make customers as comfortable as possible.
But if you thought about turnover, it was the opposite.
"No backrests, or tables lower than the chairs, or vice versa—tables at normal height but chairs like bar stools. Create discomfort like that, and customers will finish up and leave quickly, right?"
"Ah...!"
"If you're thinking of a personal cafe, this is the most efficient method."
Of course, customers would complain a bit. 'What's with these uncomfortable seats?'
You had to accept that to some degree. But pair it with other attractive features worth visiting for.
"Isn't that too stingy?"
To Park Junsu, who was pulling a face, Song Wooyeun offered another option.
"If you don't like that, try switching to crushed ice."
"The ice?"
"You've seen scenes in movies where they drink whiskey, right? What kind of ice do they use?"
"Ah! I know. They use these round ice balls."
Park Junsu gestured with his hands to mime a sphere.
"Exactly. Because that shape lasts the longest. It keeps the drink cold without diluting the whiskey's flavor."
"Aha~."
"So what if you do the opposite?"
Park Junsu tilted his head. The opposite? Puzzled, not sure what he meant, then Song Wooyeun grinned and continued.
"If you use crushed ice, it melts much faster, right?"
"Ah!"
"Customers who like crunching on ice will empty their cups even quicker."
"I see...."
Park Junsu looked at Song Wooyeun with eyes full of admiration.
He realized this wasn't just luck in business success—this was a true mastermind at work.
Even Park Junsu, who'd worked at cafes multiple times, didn't know these details, yet Song Wooyeun knew them inside out like it was obvious.
"You're amazing. How do you know all this?"
To Park Junsu's question, Song Wooyeun laughed awkwardly and scratched the back of his head. He couldn't exactly say he'd run a cafe franchise in his previous life and studied it deeply.
"Just, y'know, roughly know it.... Haha."
Park Junsu looked at him with even more respect.
'This guy's a total business genius!'
If Song Wooyeun knew what Park Junsu was thinking, he'd have been shocked too.
"Of course, that's not the only secret to Songdabang's low prices."
"There's more?"
"Yeah. We copied Costco's strategy. Know what it is?"
"Costco...?"
The name felt a bit unfamiliar to Park Junsu. Wasn't it that rare American mega discount chain?
Why bring it up suddenly?
What did it have to do with cafes?
"I've heard their pizza is cheap and tasty, but I've never been, so not sure."
"Haha. Ever seen a Costco ad?"
Park Junsu thought for a moment before answering.
"Don't think so. But it's so famous in the US, maybe they don't need ads in Korea?"
"Could be. But instead of spending big on promotion, Costco went with a different strategy."
It was a pretty famous story now. Costco had no dedicated promo team and spent next to nothing on advertising.
"Sell things cheaply."
"...Pardon?"
"If you sell at rock-bottom prices, customers come on their own without promotion."
Park Junsu looked baffled. But amazingly, it was true. Low prices were the ultimate competitive edge.
"In fact, for today's main branch opening here at Songdabang, aside from a free 100-cup event, we're not doing any other promotion."
"Gasp."
"Cut promo costs like that, and you can sell coffee even cheaper."
And that...
Would be Songdabang's biggest weapon.
Song Wooyeun smiled confidently, certain of it.
Park Junsu was now staring at him in a daze. Right then, Jo Ilook, who'd finished his call, poked his head through the door.
Tap tap.
He politely tapped the glass wall to summon Song Wooyeun.
"President. Time to go."
"Be right there, Team Leader Jo."
Song Wooyeun flashed Park Junsu a subtle smile and patted his shoulder.
"See you next time."
"Ah. Yes, sure!"
"And Yu Manager, feel free to reach out if you need anything."
As he glanced at Yoo Sol, Jo Ilook urged him once more.
"Song President."
"Coming!"
She's in a hurry.
Song Wooyeun muttered softly, then winked one eye.
"I'll be in touch~."
"Take care."
And Song Wooyeun hurried out of the shop.
"...Wow."
Park Junsu let out an exclamation without thinking. What just happened felt like a dream.
"I told you."
Yoo Sol continued with a long sigh.
"You couldn't tell if he was the boss or a part-timer...."
"R-Right. Way friendlier and more approachable than I imagined...."
"Yeah?"
Yoo Sol shrugged.
"But still, be careful. He's like that normally, but if there's even a hint of hygiene issues, he turns scary in an instant."
"Eep!"
"In that vein, shall we finish cleaning up?"
Yoo Sol scanned the part-timers who'd snuck over to gawk at Song Wooyeun, abandoning their tasks.
"Let's hurry. So we can clock out early."
"Yes!"
Click.
As he closed the shop door and turned, Jo Ilook was staring right at him.
"What?"
"...Nothing. Songdabang's launch seems smooth."
"Yeah. Looks like we won't have to worry for a while."
The menu items were things he'd pondered long ago, so the quality was high.
Come to think of it, among the brands launched so far, this was the one prepared over the longest time.
"By the way. I told them to test opening hours for the first week, right?"
"Yes. I passed it on to Yu Manager."
"Good. Thought I'd forgotten after all that chit-chat."
They'd talked so much about other stuff.
"Of course, we've mostly scouted the area already. But for the first week, try opening at 8 a.m., or 10 a.m. Close at 7 p.m., or 11 p.m., and check customer numbers."
"Yes. Yu Manager will probably test it out and settle on hours."
Yoo Sol was sharp and efficient at her job.
She'd worked manager roles at franchises a few times; later, it might be good to bring her to HQ for franchise owner oversight.
"Anyway. So where to now?"
"Yes. As I mentioned before, there's a branch that got two undercover warnings."
"Oh?"
"Yes. Most passed fine, but one...."
Jo Ilook trailed off and clamped his mouth shut. What's this about?
"Best if you see it yourself."
"Alright. Not sure my words will change anything, but where's the car?"
"No need for the car."
"Pardon?"
What did that mean? No car? Walking?
Utterly confused, he stared at Jo Ilook, who averted his gaze and said,
"...It's not a distance that requires a car."
"Team Leader Jo. I have no idea what you're talking ab—"
He paused mid-sentence.
A chill ran down his spine, and a bad premonition flashed through his mind.
"...No way."
"Yes. Probably what you're thinking."
Jo Ilook continued gravely.
"Got two undercover warnings, and showed no improvement despite that. A problematic owner you'll know well."
A very familiar name, one he hadn't heard in a while, slipped from Jo Ilook's lips.
"Branch Manager Kim Jong-chun."
Thud.
It felt like his heart dropped.