The Born Korea to raise prices at Rolling Pasta, Bbaekboy Pizza and 9 other brands

Eleven dining brands under The Born Korea, including Rolling Pasta and Bbaekboy Pizza, will raise prices on select menu items starting Tuesday.

According to industry sources, The Born Korea plans to raise prices on some menu items across 11 of its restaurant brands by an average of about 11% starting Tuesday. The affected items account for roughly 20% of each brand's total menu. The company currently operates 25 dining brands in total, and 44% of them — just under half — are set to implement the increases.

The 11 brands raising prices are Yeokjeon Udon, Mijeong Guksu, Insaeng Seolleongtang, Jesun Sikdang, Hanshin Pocha, Dolbaegijip, Baek's Beer, Mak-i-oreum, Rolling Pasta, Bbaekboy Pizza and Saemaul Sikdang. Bbaekdabang, the company's coffee franchise with the largest store count, will not be affected.

At Rolling Pasta, prices for four salad and side items will rise 20.4%, while pasta dishes (17 items, up 10.2%) and pizza items (five items, up 10.0%) will also see increases. Bbaekboy Pizza will raise prices on 12 pizza items by 20.2% and on seven spaghetti and side items by 15.3%. Saemaul Sikdang will increase prices on three grilled items — excluding its Korean pork samgyeopsal — by 6.3%. Hanshin Pocha will raise prices on 15 anju items, excluding its boneless spicy chicken feet, by 11.2%.

A The Born Korea official said the company had "absorbed as much as possible internally the rising cost burden on customers stemming from exchange rate increases driven by domestic and international instability, disruptions in global raw material supply, and higher logistics costs." The official added that "external cost pressures have surged sharply since last year, reaching a level that can no longer be absorbed internally."

The official went on to say the company "adjusted prices on the minimum number of menu items where increases were unavoidable, following ongoing discussions with each brand council to protect franchisee profits."