SINGAPORE - The founder of a popular breakfast restaurant has been found, almost three weeks after he was reported missing.
Mr Gerald Tan Wei Jian, 32, who set up Hatched in 2009, was last seen in Kheam Hock Road off Bukit Timah on Jan 2.
While police said yesterday that he has been found, they gave no further details. Mr Tan and his family could not be reached for comment.
When The Straits Times visited the Hatched outlet in Holland Village yesterday, its shutters were down. The outlet is believed to have remained closed for nearly two weeks.
A former employee, who declined to be named, said: "Thank God he was found. He is a really nice and understanding boss, quiet most of the time but when he opens up, he can be really funny and interesting to talk to. He's also very committed... he would cover shifts when we were short of staff."
His wife, Ms Wilawan Tothong, who is from Thailand, had previously posted on Facebook: "Where are you?? Hope everything will be ok soon.. Pls God protect him."
Her friends had also left messages of encouragement on her Facebook page. On Jan 14, the police published an appeal for information on his whereabouts on their Facebook page. According to the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority, Hatched is owned by EFGH Holdings, which lists Mr Tan, a former Singapore Armed Forces scholarship holder, as its director. Mr Tan created his business after completing his four-year bond.
Hatched's first outlet, in Evans Road near the Botanic Gardens, specialised in egg-based brunch dishes. He opened a second outlet in Holland Village in 2012, and closed the first at the end of that year.
