"More customers or more burden?" Small business owners torn over legalizing pets in restaurants

From March, dogs, cats and other companion animals will be legally allowed in certain restaurants, and self-employed business owners are feeling both hope and anxiety. Some welcome the possibility of attracting more customers who live with pets, but others worry that refusing pets could hurt their sales. There are also concerns that allowing pets will require extra investment in facilities and management, and that owners may be held responsible if pets clash or accidents occur.
According to industry sources on the 23rd, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety recently promulgated a revision to the Enforcement Rule of the Food Sanitation Act, which sets facility standards and obligations for operators of restaurants that allow entry to pets such as dogs and cats.
Under the revision, general restaurants, snack bars and bakeries may operate as pet-friendly establishments without filing a separate report, as long as they meet hygiene and safety standards. These include separating cooking and dining areas, providing pet-only zones, and using dedicated bowls and utensils. The rules do not apply uniformly to all restaurants; each owner can decide whether to adopt the system.
The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety explained that a two-year Regulatory Sandbox pilot project showed positive results, including improved hygiene and safety levels and higher consumer satisfaction. However, it noted that businesses that violate hygiene or safety management standards may face administrative sanctions such as suspension of operations or corrective orders.
Amid these changes, some self-employed owners argue that restaurants choosing not to allow pets could be put at a disadvantage. One small business owner said, "They say it is up to us, but if we do not accept pets, I worry that customers who have them might stop coming altogether," adding, "I am afraid it will become a system where we are forced to follow along, even if it means taking on more burden."
On online communities for self-employed owners, many are also voicing concerns about the practical burdens. A small business owner identified as A said, "If we have to separate the cooking area, install fences and purchase dedicated equipment, the initial costs and ongoing management will be significant," adding, "For small shops, the financial and management burden is especially heavy."
Potential conflict between pet owners and customers without pets is another major concern for operators. To prepare for possible accidents, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has recommended that owners take out pet liability insurance. Even so, many in the industry worry that if there are disputes over pet fights, biting incidents or hygiene complaints, the responsibility will fall squarely on the business owner.
Experts generally agree that expanding pet-friendly restaurants reflects a broader social trend, but they stress that the system must be implemented with realistic differences in business type and size in mind.
Lee Young-ae, a professor of consumer science at Incheon National University, said, "As more consumers treat their pets like family, the move toward allowing pets is an irreversible trend." At the same time, she cautioned, "If standards designed for large establishments are applied as-is to small businesses, the burden on owners could become excessive, so the system needs to be carefully designed."
Some experts also argue that owners should not feel overly pressured about whether to allow pets. Professor Lee Eun-hee of the Department of Consumer Science at Inha University noted, "Just because pets are allowed does not necessarily mean all customers will flock to those establishments." She added that non-pet owners are also an important consumer group, and that the decision to allow pets should be made by each owner after considering the nature of the business and the characteristics of the surrounding commercial area.
yesji@fnnews.com Kim Ye-ji Reporter