Starbucks continues to experience a decline in sales due to the so-called 'Tank Day' controversy, while Burger King has seen an increase in revenue despite a boycott linked to the film 'Assassins.'
According to data from BC Card cited by Democratic Party lawmaker Hwang Jeong-a on October 12, Starbucks' sales from October 1 to 7 were 4.9% lower than the same period before the 'Tank Day' controversy (May 11 to 17).
Starbucks faced backlash after using the term 'Tank Day' in a tumbler discount promotion on May 18, which was perceived as mocking the May 18 Democratic Uprising. Following the controversy, sales from May 21 to 27 dropped by 23.5% compared to the previous week.
In contrast, Burger King, which became a target of a boycott due to actor Yoo Hae-jin's involvement in 'Assassins,' reported a 0.3% increase in sales during the first week of the boycott compared to the Chuseok holiday week. Compared to the same period in 2025, sales rose by 28.3%.
During the same timeframe, Starbucks' sales were down 6.3% compared to the Chuseok week and 11.7% compared to the same period last year.
Lawmaker Hwang stated, 'For over four months, consumers have turned away from companies that mock the May 18 Democratic Uprising, yet the sales of companies associated with the film 'Assassins' have actually increased. The public clearly distinguishes between mocking history and artistic expression in film, so it is time to stop the backlash against 'Assassins' and respect the public's reasonable judgment.'
However, it is important to note that the data only reflects credit card transactions from BC Card and may not represent overall sales trends, leading to concerns about overgeneralizing consumer behavior.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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