COVID-19 Leads to 'No-Audience Games' Opening in Pro Baseball and Soccer... Chicken Sales Soar

COVID-19 Spread Leads to Professional Baseball and Soccer Games Without Spectators
Sports Fans Stay Home to Cheer... 'National Snack' Chicken Delivery Increases

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Saeng-hye] The late-opening professional baseball and professional soccer leagues, delayed due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), have been held as spectator-free games one after another, bringing significant benefits to the chicken industry. The industry analyzes that fans who had eagerly awaited the opening of baseball and soccer enjoyed the games at home with chicken instead of going to the stadiums.

According to Kyochon Chicken on the 14th, total sales at Kyochon Chicken franchise stores increased by about 30% compared to the previous year on the 5th, when the professional baseball KBO League opened. Sales rose 60% compared to the previous Tuesday (April 28), and also increased by about 60% compared to the previous month. After the professional soccer K League opened, total sales at franchise stores over the last weekend (May 9-10) increased by about 30% compared to the same period last year. The best-selling menu was Kyochon Chicken's recent bestseller, the 'Honey Combo.'

BBQ Chicken's total sales on the 5th also surged by more than 50% compared to the previous year. Sales increased by 60% compared to the previous week (April 28), and sales from May 9 to 10 also jumped about 60% year-on-year. A BBQ Chicken official explained, "We analyze that the no-audience games of professional baseball and soccer, along with the launch of the new product 'Hot Golden Olive,' had a significant impact on the sales increase." In fact, BBQ sales on the 5th were recorded to have increased by 73% compared to the Tuesday before the new product launch (April 14).

bhc Chicken's sales also increased significantly. Sales on the 5th rose 33% compared to the previous year and increased 60% compared to the previous week (April 28). When measured by order volume, it increased by as much as 65% compared to the previous week, and sales were 37% higher than on the 5th of last year. Especially, sales on May 9 and 10 jumped 35% compared to the same period last year. A bhc Chicken official said, "The partial meat chicken menu was especially popular during the golden holiday period."

Gubne Chicken's sales on the 5th increased by 36% compared to the same period last year. Sales on the 9th rose 13% year-on-year. A Gubne Chicken official stated, "Due to social distancing and the no-audience openings of professional baseball and soccer, the time consumers spent at home increased, resulting in a rise in delivery sales."

Meanwhile, professional baseball and soccer are expected to continue holding spectator-free games for the time being due to the COVID-19 cluster infection incident that occurred recently at Itaewon clubs. Accordingly, the chicken industry's sales are also expected to continue soaring for the time being. A KBO official said that they plan to review the issue of spectator admission through COVID-19 task force (TF) meetings and consultations with the government and teams. The Korea Professional Football League is also known to decide on spectator admission after closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation caused by the Itaewon incident.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.