Due to the rise of nuclear families and the increasing social participation of women, opportunities for dining out in South Korea have steadily increased compared to the past. This, along with the entry of global franchise coffee shops into the domest...
Due to the rise of nuclear families and the increasing social participation of women, opportunities for dining out in South Korea have steadily increased compared to the past. This, along with the entry of global franchise coffee shops into the domestic market, rising consumer demand for premium and differentiated coffee products such as specialty tea, espresso-based coffee shops, and alternative coffee, and the expansion of large corporations into the coffee industry, is rapidly transforming the overall coffee market environment. In recent years, shifts in consumer leisure awareness and lifestyle have driven changes in consumption patterns, leading the coffee industry to evolve through diversification, specialization, differentiation, hybridization, and chain expansion. Since the 2010s, the number of private brand coffee shops located near natural landscapes such as oceans, mountains, and lakes in major metropolitan areas has steadily increased, contributing to the qualitative growth of leisure culture and relaxation. As competition among coffee shops intensifies and various non-coffee beverages penetrate the market, competition has become overheated. Therefore, private brand coffee shops, more than franchise brands, must recognize the importance of brand strategy and enhance their brand equity to survive. This study aims to empirically analyze how customer-based brand equity affects customers’ perceived value and emotional attachment to private brand coffee shops, and how these in turn impact customer happiness and positive behavioral intentions. The objective is to provide strategic, differentiated, and effective marketing directions that can support the sustainability and competitiveness of private brand coffee shops. To achieve this, a literature review and analysis of prior research were conducted to examine the theoretical foundations of customer-based brand equity, perceived value, attachment, happiness, and behavioral intentions. Based on these, a research model and hypotheses were developed and tested through empirical analysis. For hypothesis testing, survey data were collected from customers who visited private brand coffee shops in various regions across South Korea. The data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 26.0. Frequency analysis was used to examine the characteristics of the sample and usage patterns, while descriptive statistics were used to assess the normality of variables. The reliability of the survey was assessed using Cronbach’s α, and exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses confirmed the validity of the measurement items. Correlation analysis examined the discriminant validity and multicollinearity of variables, and a structural equation model was employed to test the hypotheses. The key findings are as follows: Customer-based brand equity in private brand coffee shops had a statistically significant positive effect on perceived value and attachment. Additionally, both perceived value and attachment significantly and positively affected happiness, which in turn had a statistically significant positive effect on behavioral intentions. Managerial Implications: First, the study confirmed that brand equity is a multidimensional concept that influences consumer perception and emotion. It highlighted the need to expand emotional consumer behavior models that include happiness as a central variable. This also represents a theoretical contribution by extending existing research beyond franchise-focused models to the context of small private brands. Second, to strengthen customer-based brand equity, it is necessary to consistently manage interior design, logo, and story-based content. Participatory marketing strategies, such as coffee classes, membership programs, and emotional engagement with baristas, are effective in enhancing customer attachment. To promote customer happiness, sensory elements within the store (such as music, lighting, and scent) should be improved and personalized emotional services should be provided. Continuous communication via social media and the organization of community-based events can also strengthen emotional bonds with customers, thereby enhancing the sustainable competitiveness of private brand coffee shops. In conclusion, this study empirically demonstrates that customer-based brand equity in private brand coffee shops significantly influences perceived value, attachment, happiness, and behavioral intention. The findings offer meaningful insights not only for private coffee brands but also for broader application across various sectors of the food and beverage industry, increasing both theoretical relevance and practical applicability.