The_King Posted January 11, 2021 Share Posted January 11, 2021 SINGAPORE - Home-grown chain Founder Bak Kut Teh, which had four outlets a year ago, is now left with just two - its Balestier Road flagship store and a branch at Downtown East in Pasir Ris. It closed its outlet in North Bridge Road opposite Bugis Junction at the end of October. And the one in Hotel Boss in Jalan Sultan was shuttered on Dec 31. Founder Bak Kut Teh was started in 1978 in a coffee shop in Choa Chu Kang and moved to Balestier Road in 1998. Second-generation owner Nigel Chua, 45, said business at the two closed outlets was badly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. He added: "The Bugis outlet depended mainly on tourists and the office crowd, both of whom were non-existent in October. And 90 per cent of the diners at Hotel Boss were tourists." He had sent out an appeal on social media on July 15 last year to save the chain, but it was met with a mix of support and criticism. Some netizens rooted for him but others called it a shameless publicity stunt. In his post, Mr Chua said the brand was in danger of closing in the following two months as business had plummeted by 85 per cent over the past five months. Business improved slightly after the appeal but quickly plunged again. Mr Chua said the two remaining outlets are struggling too, with business at only 20 to 30 per cent of what it was during pre-Covid times. He will decide at the end of this week if he will close the Pasir Ris branch. His contract with Downtown East will end in the middle of March. But he plans to keep the Balestier Road flagship running. "Hopefully, things will pick up after Chinese New Year," he said. Founder Bak Kut Teh also has overseas franchises in places like Indonesia, Vietnam, Taiwan and China. While Mr Chua is not involved in their operations, he said that, except for Taiwan, most of them are not doing well. "Indonesia is affected because of the lockdown. China is not doing well either. And one of the two outlets in Vietnam is closing at the end of this month," he said. https://www.straitstimes.com/life/food/founder-bak-kut-teh-closes-two-of-its-four-outlets 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_King Posted January 11, 2021 Author Share Posted January 11, 2021 song fa, i see still so many ppl eat, there must be a reason why ppl dont eat there. my guess is lousy food and expensive. learn from song fa, they are doing thing right Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManOfTheHour Posted January 11, 2021 Share Posted January 11, 2021 Novita must be sad 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homelander Posted January 11, 2021 Share Posted January 11, 2021 38 minutes ago, The_King said: song fa, i see still so many ppl eat, there must be a reason why ppl dont eat there. my guess is lousy food and expensive. learn from song fa, they are doing thing right i still got eat song fa...old street i also skip 26 minutes ago, ManOfTheHour said: Novita must be sad Novita biz? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_King Posted January 11, 2021 Author Share Posted January 11, 2021 me prefer herbal BKT which i make myself cause i like the herbal to be very strong but only lightly salted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homelander Posted January 11, 2021 Share Posted January 11, 2021 2 minutes ago, The_King said: me prefer herbal BKT which i make myself cause i like the herbal to be very strong but only lightly salted Herbal one i think i tried at hong lim food centre...most places sell pepper one 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_King Posted January 11, 2021 Author Share Posted January 11, 2021 1 minute ago, Homelander said: Herbal one i think i tried at hong lim food centre...most places sell pepper one outside one expensive and herbal not strong enough and more salty then my own one me just very lightly salted as the sweetness and salt come from the herbal itself 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
socrates469bc Posted January 11, 2021 Share Posted January 11, 2021 6 minutes ago, The_King said: me prefer herbal BKT which i make myself cause i like the herbal to be very strong but only lightly salted 3 minutes ago, Homelander said: Herbal one i think i tried at hong lim food centre...most places sell pepper one support community bkt!!!!! reject tourist bkt!!!!!! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManOfTheHour Posted January 11, 2021 Share Posted January 11, 2021 40 minutes ago, Homelander said: Novita biz? Novita looks like the owner. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigbird Posted January 11, 2021 Share Posted January 11, 2021 58 minutes ago, Homelander said: Herbal one i think i tried at hong lim food centre...most places sell pepper one I remember Joo chiat has a few herbal BKT! 2 shop houses selling always packed! ! near Alibaba and the other near Prime infront of Scanteak! But not sure still there a not! Long time never been there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_King Posted January 11, 2021 Author Share Posted January 11, 2021 29 minutes ago, ManOfTheHour said: Novita looks like the owner. wai the watch, i like Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homelander Posted January 11, 2021 Share Posted January 11, 2021 7 minutes ago, Bigbird said: I remember Joo chiat has a few herbal BKT! 2 shop houses selling always packed! ! near Alibaba and the other near Prime infront of Scanteak! But not sure still there a not! Long time never been there! Dunno what u r talking about...thought joo chiat is all pho and co nam...WAHAHAHAHA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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