This Post hope to bring together members who have been thinking about going into a food business. By participating in this discussion, you may be able to find like-minded partners, general cooks, specialist dish experts, suppliers, venues, investors, F&B opportunities and food tasters. Participants can offer ideas and suggestions, tips and can even share a food business plan in process. Somebody else may be thinking likewise.
Take this post to develop your F&B plan, offer discounts to members and make your dream come true. You can ïnvite fellow members to join your business or you can offer to join theirs too.
For those who are thinking of a food business, I wish you all the best in your discussions.
For those who are negative-thinking and inclined to be wet blankets, please be considerate.
For those who are investors, please offer your ideas too, to help the participants succeed.
For those who have a special F&B skill, raise your hand, other participants may notice you.
And for those who had a F&B business before and wish to share their experience with fellow participants, we would love to hear from you.
Please indicate your interest when discussing. To a fruitful discussion.
Terence Seah
Dear Terence,
I am interested in this discussion for members interested in a food business.
Cheers,
Kristy
I have once aspired to be a “breakfast hawker” (only sell b’fast and closed by 1pm) when I retired but have not find the motivation or like-minded business partner to proceed.
My plan is to keep myself physically and mentally active and healthy during retirement but not overly overwork, that’s why only wish to sell breakfast only.
There will be a few new hawker centres coming up in the next couple of years
and opportunities may arise.
Hope this discussion raised by Terence is the first stepping stone to realise my
aspiration.
Please count me in for this food business discussion.
Thanks,
Constance
I do have an interest in F&B. Not that I can cook, I can’t. But I would love to see some food business succeed.
I have an interest to invest in someone’s food business. Shall leave it to the owner/s, up to $10,000. Am interested in good returns.
Terence Seah
Dear Terence and Constance,
When a suitable convenient stall with reasonable affordable rental can be acquired, we can start.
Cheers
Kristy
I am keen. The breakfast idea sounds good. We can find other partners to take ovee the lunch n dinner slots. Share out the rental costs. We serve healthy wholesome breakfast. And good coffee. Venue important. Any ideas?
Hi Kristy, Lydia & Terence,
I guess wanting to be a hawker is not a popular option judging the response to this
thread.
Let me share my ideas & plans :
There will be a few new hawkers’ centres coming on stream the next couple of
years. I intend to bid for a stall within my budget. Although, there are vacancy in
various hawkers’ centres put up for bidding by NEA monthly, some of these rentals are too high and because they are matured centres, competition is too high for newbie to survive.
That’s why, I rather wait for the new ones and compete on a level field.
Being a hawker is no walk in the park, and need at least 2 persons to operate
a stall.
As I only want to sell breakfast food, I definitely, require more partners to run the lunch/dinner sector to maximize return on investment.
As NEA no longer allows sub-letting, it’s going to be tough to find similar like-minded partners – preferable, hands-on partners to sustain business as labour cost is expensive.
Hence, until everything falls in place, I can only dream on.
Cheers!
Hi Constance,
On the topic of operating a foodcourt stall, it is always a chicken and egg response. It is the same like Club activities. If there are crowds, many people will turn up. Like anywhere in Singapore, the ability to draw crowds is key.
If you start a F&B, and can get other members to join you, we will go to your breakfast in crowds. If you enable SHC to patronise your place, you will generate crowds and more crowds.
Keep your plans vibrant. We will support you. So will I.
Terence Seah
Hi Terence,
Thank you so much for your encouragement and being so supportive.
Have taken note of your tip and hope I have the chance to apply it
successfully in my pending venture.
Cheers,
Constance
At the last SHC monthly dinner gathering at Hans, while discussing CPF interests rates, the topic on pooling together to set up a F&B venture cropped up. I felt the interest was strong, although the details were short.
Some of the points I picked up include:
1. Rental is high in Singapore, and it is felt that sharing of rent is one way to moderating this cost factor. For example, a member may be interested in selling Breakfast, while the other two focus on Lunch and dinner.
2. Experience from the discussion group suggests that wages can be as low as $7 per hour.
3. The group generally is consistent with the view that funding should cover operating costs for at least 2 years, as it takes time to build the F&B business and name.
4. Number of suggested shareholders < 10. If you are interested to participate in the discussion, as a partner or business operator, say your interest here, and we shall call for a group discussion. Terence Seah