'Mini Cola' Delivered with Chicken Disappears... Cause Traced to Can Production Factory Fire

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[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Seoyoung] In recent months, it has become difficult to find small cola cans at some franchise chicken outlets, and the cause has been identified as a fire accident at a beverage can manufacturing company.

According to Yonhap News on the 4th, a large fire broke out in March at a beverage can manufacturing company's factory in Eumseong, Chungbuk, completely destroying production facilities covering an area of 33,000㎡. It is expected to take about a year to rebuild the factory and fully restore its original production capacity.

Since then, the beverage industry has supplemented supply by sourcing standard-sized cans of 250㎖ or larger from other companies to meet customer demand. However, small-sized cans under 250㎖ are not widely produced by other manufacturers, causing supply disruptions. Given that the company affected by the fire held a significant share of the small can market, the supply gap has been prolonged.

Chicken delivered together with a small canned beverage.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

After the accident, some franchise chicken outlets changed the small canned beverages provided as complimentary items with menu orders to 250㎖ cans. However, the price difference between small cans and 250㎖ cans is not significant, so franchisees reportedly have not suffered major losses. Additionally, a VIP lounge in a major department store has stopped offering free small canned sodas.

A representative from a beverage company stated, "Currently, the small can production process has almost normalized, but it will take time for the products to be supplied to various distribution channels," adding, "Since we have entered the beverage off-season in the fourth quarter, the supply imbalance is expected to be resolved soon."

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