42-Year-Old Bak Kut Teh Business In Danger Of Shutting Down, Owners Write Plea for Help

TL;DR

Founder Bak Kut Teh is in danger of shutting down for good – and its owners have taken to Facebook to implore netizens for help.
They had expected that Phase 2 starting would improve things, but were let down.
Nevertheless, they are offering over 30% off curated sets for dine-in customers from 17 July to 17 August at selected outlets to thank them for their support during the Circuit Breaker period.

The circuit breaker period’s been tough on a lot of F&B businesses. A lot of them have been forced to either downscale or close shop entirely – Heap Seng Leong coffeeshop’s seen fewer and fewer crowds, and even local big-name bakery BreadTalk delisted themselves on 5th June following heavy sales losses. And Founder Bak Kut Teh – a 42-year-old homegrown business – is afraid it might go the same way in just a couple of months, if sales don’t pick up soon.

“Founder Bak Kut Teh will be shutting down if the situation doesn’t get better in the next 2 months,” the shop’s second-generation owner Nigel Chua wrote in a Facebook post on Wednesday night. “It has been a really good 42 years… but the truth is, we might not make it for the many more 42 years to come.”

“We may not make it for the…42 years to come”

Founder Bak Kut Teh was established in 1978, but its 48-year existence may cease if business doesn’t improve soon.

The shop had done its best to keep afloat through the circuit breaker period on the sales from takeaways and deliveries, but it struggled to do so.

Phase 2 brought renewed relief when it was announced that customers would be able to dine in again. “My dad was elated, grinning from ear to ear, and gleefully headed to the restaurant in the wee hours to prepare the aromatic Bak Kut Teh broth himself,” Chua wrote in his Facebook post.

Unfortunately, their hopes were dashed – business did not improve enough, and the business continued to struggle.

Over the last 5 months, their sales have seen a staggering drop of over 85%.

Over 30% Off

Nevertheless, Founder Bak Kut Teh is grateful to everyone who has helped them out during these difficult times. As a thank-you to customers for supporting them through the circuit breaker, they’re offering over 30% off curated sets for dine-in customers from 17 July to 17 August.

“This special discount is to thank you for your support during Circuit Breaker (we couldn’t have lasted this long without you) and to encourage you and your family to dine with us,” Chua wrote.

“Your next meal choice will make a difference to us.”