Ashley Queens and Nonghyup Distribution have been selected as recipients of the Minister of Health and Welfare Award at the 2025 Asia Consumer Awards. Ashley Queens, a buffet restaurant brand by Eland Eats, was recognized for raising customer satisfaction by offering affordable prices and excellent quality even amid high inflation, while Nonghyup Distribution was acknowledged for its contribution to increasing the sales of domestic agricultural products.

Ashley Queens, the buffet brand of Eland Eats, operates 110 locations nationwide as of December last year. With the goal of ‘providing the best dining experience to customers,’ the brand continues its efforts to enhance customer satisfaction. Ashley Queens has notably strengthened its own app service and introduced VIP services to improve convenience. Through the Ashley app, customers can register for waiting lists via mobile without having to do so on-site, and VIP regular customers can even make same-day reservations for a more convenient store entry.

Ashley Queens is chosen not only by families but also by office workers for lunch gatherings and single-person households as a dining spot, thanks to its reasonable weekday lunch price of 19,900 won. Last year, the brand achieved approximately 70% sales growth compared to the previous year.

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Ashley Queens is also taking the lead in social contribution through its support program for self-reliant youth in partnership with the Eland Foundation. The ‘E-YOUTH’ internship program in the food service industry is a representative example. This program is linked to the Ministry of Employment and Labor’s ‘Future Tomorrow Work Experience’ project, and Eland was the first to implement this project exclusively for self-reliant youth rather than the general youth population. The program provides various support such as special lectures by Eland Group experts, one-on-one field mentoring, and welfare benefits from affiliates, and offers the opportunity to be converted to a regular position at Eland Eats based on post-internship evaluations.

Additionally, Ashley Queens has consistently carried out activities to support marginalized groups, such as the ‘Sharing Table’ event inviting multicultural single-parent families to its stores in May, the Family Month, and has increased the employment rate of people with disabilities through disability employment promotion activities.

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Nonghyup Hanaro Mart, operated by Nonghyup Distribution, has been actively contributing to increasing the sales of domestic agricultural products by dealing exclusively in 100% domestic agricultural and livestock products. At a time when imported fruits and agricultural products are on the rise, the mart is promoting the sale of safe domestic produce. It also engages in direct transactions and promotional activities for agricultural products shipped from production areas, striving to raise awareness of domestic produce.

The safety of the agricultural and livestock products sold is also ensured. All agricultural products brought into Nonghyup Distribution undergo quality inspections, and if residual pesticides are detected during this process, the products cannot be sold in stores. Furthermore, the ‘three strikes out’ system is enforced, so if residual pesticides are detected three times or more, the relevant supplier is banned from shipping products.

A ‘recall system’ for agricultural products is also in place. This is to satisfy consumers who seek fresh and safe produce. Nonghyup Distribution introduced the agricultural product recall system back in July 1996, making it the first to do so at the time. Given the nature of agricultural products, which makes it difficult to maintain uniform quality, if the quality is somewhat lacking, consumers can immediately exchange or refund the products simply by presenting a receipt.

The company also continues to accompany local communities and marginalized groups. It operates the ‘Hanaro Volunteer Group’ made up of Nonghyup Distribution employees, regularly conducting volunteer programs for the elderly living alone and the visually impaired. Since 2016, it has also run the ‘Nonghyup Distribution Angel Friends Volunteer Group’, where employees voluntarily collect at least 1,004 won each to deliver aid to those in need at the end of the year.