Enjoy Authentic Italian Coffee in Korea! What is Behind Pascucci’s Success?

SPC Group Chairman Hur Young-in met with Mario Pascucci, the CEO and a grandson of the founder of Italian coffee house brand Pascucci who was visiting Korea on March 24 to sign an MOU on Paris Baguette’s master franchise in Italy.

The signing of the MOU bore fruit after over a year of negotiations, marking a significant milestone in the relationship between the two companies. Highlights include the signing of the MOU with Pascucci’s CEO Mario Pascucci, stories of Pascucci coffee stores taking root in the Korean market, and opening of gelato shops in Busan.

Paris Baguette Works with Pascucci to Chart New Territory in Italy

SPC Chairman Hur Young-in and Caffe Pascucci’s CEO Mario Pascucci signed an MOU at a high-profile meeting that marked a major milestone in the bilateral cooperation. Following the signing of the MOU, they visited Pascucci Centro Yangjae, the flagship Pascucci store in Korea, and Lab of Paris Baguette Pangyo as a flagship store that serves as a model store to be opened in Italy in a show of their commitment to future cooperation. The two leaders shared their ideas in depth on business strategies and design concepts of each brand including customer experiences while touring key stores in Korea.

According to Mario Pascucci, Paris Baguette is a global bakery café brand enjoying growing popularity around the world, operating more than 7,000 stores in Korea and 11 other countries. “I believe Paris Baguette can certainly appeal to Italian customers. I will do my best to make sure that Paris Baguette can successfully establish its presence in Italy and Europe,” he vowed.

Paris Baguette is expected to launch and expand its business in Italy faster than in France and UK as it is working closely with Pascucci under the Master Franchise (MF) agreement, based on 20 years of partnership with Pascucci.

Korea Has the Most Pascucci Stores

Launched in 1883 in Monte Cerignone, Italy, Caffe Pascucci is an authentic Italian espresso brand currently operating in 17 countries. The two groups have been working together for over 20 years since the SPC Group introduced the brand in Korea in 2002.

Did you know that far more Pascucci stores are in operation in Korea than in Italy? Korea has more Pascucci stores in operation than in any other country in the world including Italy. The phenomenal success of the brand in Korea is attributed to the SPC Group’s expertise and franchise knowhow in the food and restaurant business. Now, Pascucci will launch the SPC Group’s bakery café brand Paris Baguette in Italy and help the brand expand in Europe. The cross-market cooperation between the two entities will further strengthen their relationship down the road.

What makes Pascucci stores in Korea so unique and attractive?

There are far more Pascucci stores in Korea than in Italy. What is so special about Pascucci stores in Korea?

Located on Gwanak Campus of Seoul National University (SNU), Pascucci Centro SNU features a fascinating forest view that changes from season to season. It is a popular coffee haunt among those who need to relax over a cup of coffee, breathing in the refreshing scent of phytoncide. Pascucci Shintanjin DT, which opened in April, offers the option of drive-through pick-up. Flowers are available for guests to view from the large store throughout the year. The giant glass window allows guests to enjoy the great view fully and relax in the spacious store.

At Pascucci Espresso Bar Yangjae, you can enjoy authentic Italian expresso drinks and savory desserts. Each Pascucci store boasts of its unique charms. Pascucci Yeosu Seonsodaegyo Bridge offers a splendid view of the city’s nightscape and the bridge, and Pascucci Daecheong Dam located near the dam’s observatory is a perfect spot to get a panoramic view of the dam.

Authentic Italian Gelato Shops Open in Busan

Two gelato shops opened in Busan on April 19: Pascucci Centro Gwangalli and Pascucci Centro Seomyeon. The shops serve authentic Italian gelato and cocktails. Come and treat yourself to authentic Italian flavors and styles.

Located right next to Gwangalli Beach, Centro Gwangalli is a 4-story building with the giant glass window through which you can view the beautiful beach and the famous Gwangandaegyo Bridge. The nighttime view from the shop is particularly charming. The outdoor terrace on the 4^th floor is used as a venue for a variety of events including drone shows organized by the city of Busan every Saturday.

Centro Seomyeon is located in Seomyeon, one of the busiest districts in Busan. The two-story building is designed to feature a trendy atmosphere, taking cues from Jeonpo Café Street, a popular tourist attraction that is also known as “Jeollidan-gil” among young people in their 20s and 30s as well as from the image of Seomyeon as the former No. 1 hangout for young people.

Pascucci Busan Invites You to Special Gelato Treats!

There are special items available only at the shops. A cone of Wahrrrr Gelato is placed upside down in a cup filled with various toppings and sauces. If you grab the cone off the cup, the chocolate syrup and crunchy toppings will fall off. Wahrrrr Gelato comes in two flavors: berry and pistachio. Signature Sampler Gelato comes with unique Italian sauces made of cherry and basil olive, while Best Sampler Gelato offers a combination of the best flavors and toppings. Secret Cone Gelato and Secret Cup Gelato allow customers to choose their own flavors. All these interesting names certainly raise our expectations.

Local espresso bars in Italy serve not only gelato but also beverages. Likewise, the shops in Busan also serve two types of drinks: non-alcoholic drinks and cocktails such as Busan Blue Beach Lemon Granita and Busan Sand Beach Coffee Granita. As a tangy lemon-based granita, Busan Blue Beach Lemon Granita depicts Busan’s blue ocean with blue spirulina and Trolly Sharks. Busan Sand Beach Coffee Granita is a deep coffee-flavored granita with honey cream and bits of Biscoff Crunchy used to describe a sandy beach.

With the signing of the MOU, the SPC Group is further raising its profile in the global market. We ask you for your continued support and interest in SPC’s future endeavors.