Mega MGC Coffee (hereafter Mega Coffee), which shook up the market this summer with its 'cost-effective shaved ice,' is now causing another sensation with its cup ice cream priced in the 3,000 won range. Immediately after its launch, the product became a hot topic on social media, and some stores even experienced sellouts. As high inflation continues and consumers cut back on spending, Mega Coffee’s strategy of offering reasonably priced, 'small but rich' products is being praised for accurately targeting consumer sentiment during the economic downturn.

According to Mega Coffee on the 16th, the newly launched 'Yogurt Gelato Choco Berry Mix' surpassed 600,000 units sold just 11 days after its release. This is an even faster pace than the 'Red Bean Shaved Ice Syndrome' that swept the market this summer. Some stores faced early sellouts, prompting the headquarters to urgently adjust supply volumes.

Previously, Mega Coffee continued the popularity of cup desserts, which began with the 'Mega Berry Acai Bowl,' through the 'Red Bean Shaved Ice' craze. The single-serving cup shaved ice desserts, Red Bean Gelato Parfait and Mango Parfait, sold 1.2 million units within a month of launch, setting a new record by surpassing a cumulative total of 9 million units sold. At the time, the influx of customers was so overwhelming that part-timers posted online, urging people to visit other stores by saying, "Other brands' cup shaved ice tastes better, so go there instead."

This fall season, the baton has been passed to the 'Yogurt Gelato Choco Berry Mix.' Priced reasonably at 3,900 won, it features yogurt gelato topped with three types of berries, granola, choco rings, and choco shell, showcasing the 'small but rich' concept. Reflecting customer demands, a modified version including cereal from the red bean shaved ice has also been introduced, expanding the range of choices.

Industry experts point to the ability to enjoy a premium dessert experience at a low price as the main reason behind this success. The toppings on the 'Yogurt Gelato Choco Berry Mix' are similar to those of the premium brand 'Yogurt Ice Cream's Standard' (Yoajeong), which led the yogurt craze in Korea, but the price is much lower. As a result, consumers are responding by saying, "Rather than paying 20,000 won at Yoajeong, let's enjoy it affordably at Mega Coffee."

On social media and online communities, positive reviews such as "the ultimate cost-effective fall dessert" and "perfect for a light snack" have continued to pour in. Some store part-timers have even posted about the on-site atmosphere, saying, "The orders are overwhelming," and "Please stop ordering so much."

Experts see this success not as a temporary trend, but as a new solution for overcoming the era of high inflation. Instead of raising prices excessively amid rising raw material costs, offering smaller sizes at reasonable prices has encouraged consumers to open their wallets. In fact, major franchises such as Ediya Coffee and Compose Coffee also entered the cup shaved ice market this summer and succeeded in boosting sales. Experts predict that, combined with the solo consumption trend, the mini-sized dessert market is highly likely to become a major source of revenue in the future.