F&B scene: More fast food coming your way

The year 2026 is shaping up to be a full one for fans of fast food, with the arrival of three global brands.

- Cherie Lok

The latest entry to the Singapore market is American chicken sandwich giant Chick-fil-A, which started operations at Bugis+ on Dec 11.

Meanwhile, Chipotle Mexican Grill, a fast-casual chain from the same country, and South Korea's burger brand Lotteria are set to make landfall here in 2026.

This influx comes as no surprise to industry observers, who say that Singapore's allure lies in its safety and affluence.

Mr Benedict Lee, 37, a Culinary & Catering Management lecturer at Temasek Polytechnic, points out that Singapore is densely populated and has one of the highest median household incomes in Asia.

According to the Singapore Department of Statistics, the average household expenditure was nearly $6,000 a month in 2023, with food accounting for some 20 per cent of expenses.

"This signals a deep dining culture and sustained demand, with eating out being the norm rather than a luxury," Mr Lee says.

Mr Benjamin Chan, 38, founder of food and beverage (F&B) consultancy Protegie Group, adds that a "good" lunch in Singapore costs $17 to $30 in Singapore - "and you can't find that kind of purchasing power in many other countries, especially in Southeast Asia".

He also says that Singapore serves as a good vantage point for new entrants who want to understand the regional market because of the diversity of its food scene and the varied tastes of diners.

Plus, the fact that English is the lingua franca here makes doing business for brands unfamiliar with Southeast Asian languages a lot easier.

While the Singapore menus for Chipotle and Lotteria - slated to open in Jewel in February - have yet to be revealed, Chick-fil-A has exported a tight lineup of classics to Singapore. That includes its chicken sandwich, cobb salad with grilled fillet, milkshakes, spicy deluxe sandwich, waffle fries and nuggets, all priced between $4.20 and $14.60.