The Rise of Franchises and the Fall of Korea’s Independent Bakeries

The Rise of Franchises and the Fall of Korea’s Independent Bakeries

Not long ago, the scent of freshly baked bread was a quiet but familiar comfort in cities and towns across South Korea. From the early streets of Busan to neighborhood corners in Gwangju, from small towns in Gangwon to apartment complexes on Seoul’s outskirts, local bakeries once punctuated daily life with warmth, variety, and a sense of place. Often family-run, these shops reflected regional tastes, seasonal ingredients, and artisanal pride pas…