The Usual Place Podcast

Is it just a rent issue? What’s really killing Singapore’s F&B businesses?

Is it just about rent hikes alone, and could it be that we, as diners, are part of the problem, always chasing the next hot concept?

Natasha Ann Zachariah

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As a nation of foodies, we watch the food and beverage (F&B) scene closely to see who comes and goes.

In recent months, the headlines have been dominated by farewells as home-grown restaurants, bakeries, bars and even dining chains have called it a day.

This week’s casualty:

Prive Group, which operated cafes and the Empress restaurant at the Asian Civilisations Museum.

Its restaurants closed on Aug 31.

It has been a difficult year for the industry, which has seen other big names such as Eggslut and Burger & Lobster exit, modern European restaurants Imbue and one-Michelin-starred Poise shutter, and popular chains like Haidilao close outlets.

Is it just about rent hikes, and could it be that we, as diners, are part of the problem - always chasing the next hot concept?

In this episode of The Usual Place, I spoke with two veterans who are in the F&B scene in different ways:

Mr Bjorn Shen, a consultant and chef-owner of Artichoke and Small’s in New Bahru with “22 years of cooking”
STFood Online editor Eunice Quek, who has been reporting on the industry for about 15 years

Highlights (click/tap above):

3:08 Are higher rents to blame, or has it become the convenient excuse?

6:08 Bjorn explains why F&B owners have no choice at times but to pay higher rents

9:10 Are landlords the problem or are manpower costs a bigger issue?

12:53 “It’s always about chasing something new,” says Eunice on food trends; Crazy about Chinese and Korean cuisine now?

17:45 Singaporeans are not as adventurous as we think we are, says Bjorn about our foodie nation status

20:47 “Look at our malls... people call them cookie-cutter for a reason,” says Eunice

27:49 Should the Government step in with measures to help F&B business owners?

34:29 Is there a secret sauce to succeeding in the F&B scene?

36:50 Singapore vs other countries: Bjorn breaks down what works and what doesn’t

40:25 What can diners do for their favourite homegrown restaurant?

Host: Natasha Ann Zachariah (