With the government set to allow pets to accompany their owners into restaurants that meet certain standards starting in March, observers say a broader "pet-friendly" trend is likely to take hold across the dining industry. As the number of people raising companion animals has grown rapidly, there are expectations that a new consumer culture could take root if institutional regulations are eased.
According to the Ministery of Food and Drug Safety on the 4th, starting in March, pets will be allowed to enter restaurants, cafes and bakeries under conditions that they meet certain facility standards and hygiene and safety management standards. As the population raising companion animals has increased to about one-fourth of the country, demand has risen quickly to use everyday spaces together with pets, a trend cited as the backdrop.
Until now, under the Food Sanitation Act, bringing pets into restaurants was, in principle, prohibited. The rules required a clear separation between areas where food is prepared and handled and spaces where animals stay, citing hygiene concerns.
Before institutionalization, the government has, since April 2023, piloted allowing pets to accompany their owners in some restaurants through a regulatory sandbox program. A total of 221 locations and 322 stores nationwide participated in the "Pet-accompanying Restaurant Pilot Project." According to the Ministery of Food and Drug Safety, a satisfaction survey of participating businesses in April last year found that more than 90% responded positively. It said the results confirmed that hygiene management and operations could be handled without major issues.
Based on this, the Ministery of Food and Drug Safety in April last year released a notice of a partial amendment to the enforcement regulations of the Food Sanitation Act. The Ministery of Food and Drug Safety said, "Through the regulatory sandbox pilot project, we confirmed positive effects such as improved hygiene and safety levels at pet-entry restaurants and higher satisfaction among the industry and consumers," explaining the background for pushing legalization.
According to the enforcement regulations of the Food Sanitation Act released by the Ministery of Food and Drug Safety that day, the types of pets allowed to enter pet-accompanying restaurants are limited to dogs and cats. Partitions, fences and other barriers must be installed to prevent pets from accessing food-handling facilities, including kitchens and ingredient storage rooms.
Before customers enter, businesses must post signs or notices at the entrance indicating that pets are allowed, and they must provide pet-only chairs, cages and fixed leash hooks. Businesses must also maintain sufficient spacing between dining tables and aisles to prevent pets from leaving their guardians and contacting other customers or animals.
In step with this policy shift, the dining industry is gradually reviewing pet-accompanying models. Mad for Garlic, a restaurant brand operated by MFG Korea, is operating its Starfield Market Gyeongsan location as the brand's first officially designated pet-friendly "With Pet" store. Given the industry's emphasis on hygiene and safety, a restaurant brand officially adopting a pet-accompanying outlet is seen as an unusual case.
At Mad for Garlic Starfield Market Gyeongsan, 44 of the 126 seats in the 561-square-meter (about 170-pyeong) store are designated as a "Pet Zone" for customers accompanied by pets. The general customer area and the pet area are clearly separated to minimize inconvenience for both pet owners and non-owners. Admitted pets are limited to dogs and cats under 5 kilograms that have completed rabies vaccinations. Pets must be in carriers or in pet strollers with covers to enter, and management standards have been strengthened, including serving all food with sanitary covers.
In the cafe sector, which has relatively less hygiene burden than restaurants, pet-friendly stores are spreading more actively. Starbucks operates the pet-accompanying "The Bukhan River R" location and "Guri Galmae DT" location. The Bukhan River R store opened in January 2022, and the Guri Galmae DT store opened in January. According to Starbucks, cumulative visitors to the two locations surpassed 2 million as of August.
EDIYA COFFEE fully renovated its in-house coffee research center, "EDIYA COFFEE Lab," into a multi-cultural space and newly created a "Pet Zone" that can be used together with companion animals.
During the pilot phase, concerns were raised about shedding, allergies and potential safety incidents. The Ministery of Food and Drug Safety said, "Operators of pet-entry restaurants would be well advised to purchase pet liability insurance, in addition to complying with matters prescribed in the Food Sanitation Act, to prepare for pet conflicts and biting incidents," adding, "Operators of pet-entry restaurants who violate hygiene and safety management standards may receive corrective orders or face business suspension at maximum."